Erin O'Toole
Host & Senior Producer, In the NoCoEmail: erin.otoole@kunc.org
As the host of KUNC’s news program and podcast In The NoCo, I work closely with our producers and reporters to bring context and diverse perspectives to the important issues of the day. Northern Colorado is such a diverse and fast-growing region, brimming with history, culture, music, education, civic engagement, and amazing outdoor recreation spots. It’s a privilege to find and share the stories and voices that reflect why NoCo is such an extraordinary place to live.
One of the things I love most about public radio is that it embodies and encourages many of the values I hold dear: integrity, civility and curiosity. I’ve been with KUNC since 2009, minus a brief break where I focused exclusively on a Denver-based podcast. I’ve served in a number of roles here: Morning Edition Host, Assistant News Director, and as host and senior producer for Colorado Edition. My work has been recognized by the Associated Press, the Colorado Broadcasters Association, PRNDI, RTNDA, and the Society for Professional Journalists.
I began my career at a country radio station in Cincinnati, Ohio, where I was a traffic reporter, newscaster, sidekick, and finally a morning show host (yes, it’s true that my name was Coyote Kim!). I later relocated to southern California where I served as Morning Edition host and reporter for KVCR in San Bernardino. I was selected as a USC/Annenberg Health Journalism fellow in 2008.
When I'm not at work, you can usually find me hiking with my two dogs, noodling around on my bass, cooking, or enjoying the sunshine and a cold brew on a patio somewhere.
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Damage from hailstorms is one factor driving up the cost of homeowners’ insurance in recent years in Colorado. And a new report from the state’s Division of Insurance finds that the threat of hail increases costs all across Colorado – not just along the Front Range. Today on In The NoCo: Why hail is behind higher premiums – and what state lawmakers might do to help. -
Colorado’s once-booming craft beer scene has been in decline over the last few years, with around 140 breweries and taprooms closing. But one CU professor says it’s actually a sign that the industry is maturing – and he has some ideas on how local breweries might thrive in this new era. -
Winter’s long nights and cooler temperatures can bring on the winter blues – even in a mild winter like this one. But research finds that spending even 20 minutes a day outside can help. And keeping a nature journal is a great reminder to tune into your surroundings with all five senses. -
You may think of funk music as pure fun. But it has a much deeper history and cultural meaning. A CU professor digs into the overlooked history of funk, and why it spoke to changing times. -
Colorado’s tight housing market has created pressure on schools. It’s tough for teachers and other school employees to accept a job in districts with high real estate prices. A state lawmaker has a proposal that would tap into unused land that many districts own to build affordable housing for educators. -
This year’s Winter Olympics have provided plenty of thrilling moments for viewers. But many of those moments are happening on machine-made snow – which can make ski or snowboard races faster, and also riskier. Today on In The NoCo: How artificial snow is changing winter sports, and how athletes and coaches are adapting. -
A laboratory run by Colorado State University is devoted to the study of chocolate: how it’s made, how to create new varieties, and why people can’t get enough of those Valentine’s Day chocolates. -
An ecosystem on the verge of “collapse:" That’s a term one scientist used when talking about a valley on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. But scientists say they were able to repair the area quickly — by installing manmade beaver dams along a creek there. Today on In The NoCo: Why beaver dams are a secret weapon for conservationists looking to repair an ecosystem. -
The 2026 Winter Olympics are underway. And this year, nearly a third of the Coloradans on Team USA hail from Steamboat Springs. So, what makes Steamboat such a fertile training ground for Olympic athletes? We reached out to an expert in the town's history for some answers. -
Last week, union members at the JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley voted overwhelmingly to go on strike. They’re doing so to ask for safer working conditions. It’s happening at a moment of uncertainty for many of the workers who are refugees and not U.S. citizens. We dig into the backstory.
