Erin O'Toole
Host & Senior Producer, In the NoCoEmail: erin.otoole@kunc.org
As the host of KUNC’s new 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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The popularity of mocktails is soaring, and while many bars in Northern Colorado have non-alcoholic menus, there’s not yet a completely sober space for people to hang out. Today on In The NoCo, we hear about two mixologists who are trying to create fun spaces for people to explore sobriety.
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Colorado may rank at the top with regard to physical fitness. But when it comes to mental health, Coloradans are struggling. On today’s In The NoCo we discuss how a culture of drug and alcohol use in mountain resort communities can negatively affect the mental health of those who live and work there.
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Greeley farmer Sean Short has created a sustainable chicken farm with a mixture of fish farming and hydroponics. And he’s bringing at-risk young people into the fold to learn how. On today’s In the NoCo we listen back to a conversation about aquaponic chicken farming.
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Reporting on underrepresented communities requires care and nuance. Journalists who come from those communities are often best suited to cover them – but sometimes that comes with a cost. Today on In The NoCo, we listen back to our conversation with Lori Lizarraga, co-host of NPR's Code Switch.
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Coloradans are proud of our locally grown produce. With farmers market season just around the corner, we’re digging into why buying veggies from a local farmer has become a priority for so many of us. That's on today’s In The NoCo.
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Wildfire risk continues to impact tens of thousands of people in Northern Colorado. On today's episode of In the NoCo, we hear from a wildfire economist with Colorado State University about the risks homeowners face – and what people can do to protect their property.
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NPR has a long and winding history, beginning in the early 20th century with scattered rural stations that featured 'educational' programming like cooking lessons or music performances. CU Boulder professor Josh Shepperd has a new book out, which chronicles NPR's early years. Today on In The NoCo he discusses the book, and how Western states like Colorado helped create the NPR name.
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Gardening season in Northern Colorado is notoriously short and temperamental. Today on In The NocCo, KUNC’s Rae Solomon tells us about some new research that can help gardeners here choose the best tomato and pepper varieties for our unique climate.
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Parts of the Midwest and northeast will be seeing large crowds this weekend in preparation for Monday's total solar eclipse. On In the NoCo, we hear from a historian who wrote about an event in 1878 that forever changed the face of eclipse tourism - right here in Colorado.
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Colorado and the nation have seen shrinking local journalism, which is concerning to local media experts. On today’s In the NoCo, Colorado journalist Corey Hutchins reflects on the current media climate in Colorado and what it means for our state.