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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A bill being discussed at the state capitol could help make it easier for artists in Colorado to do business. The bill would create a new type of company structure called an Artist Corporation. And one of its main goals is to help an artist maintain control of their own creative work. Hear more about what the bill would do – and its Taylor Swift connection. -
The annual Mountain Plover Festival happens this weekend in Karval, Colo. The festival celebrates this elusive bird, sometimes called the “prairie ghost.” We hear more about Mountain Plovers — and why it’s so hard to spot one. -
When a natural disaster strikes, children are often seen as some of the most vulnerable victims. But kids often help their families and neighbors in the wake of a wildfire or flood. And a CU researcher who studies this phenomenon says letting kids help with the response can help them emotionally and support their community. -
Colorado enjoyed a reputation of being business-friendly in recent decades. But some in the business community worry that too much regulation is hurting the state’s ability to attract new companies. And they’re asking the governor for help. -
A Colorado science fiction writer recently published a new novel with an unusual backstory: It was partly inspired by his work using storytelling to mentor adolescent boys. Get a preview of the new book, and learn about why he thinks storytelling helps kids better understand themselves. -
The Artemis II astronauts got lots of attention as they flew around the moon. Today we're highlighting a lesser known story of lunar exploration. A CU-Boulder researcher is part of a team examining where traces of water might be found in craters on the lunar surface. That water might one day help astronauts travel to other planets. -
This winter has been tough for skiers and snowboarders in Colorado – and it’s also challenging for the businesses and employees in nearby resort towns that depend on busy ski seasons. We hear more about how the lack of snowfall is affecting people who live and work in ski towns. -
A position on the ski patrol is a dream job for many skiers. But the stress that comes with it can be serious. A ski patrol member might deal with a cranky guest one day and a badly injured skier the next. As a tough ski season winds down, we look at how ski patrollers cope with these challenges. -
A film debuting this weekend in Fort Collins offers a unique look at how neighbors can coexist. The new documentary 'Creede, USA' looks at the town of Creede, Colorado – and how some conservative rural residents find a way to get along with the free-spirited theater troupe that puts on performances there. Hear from the filmmakers today on In The NoCo. -
Around the world, venomous snakebites kill tens of thousands of people each year. Antivenom can be an effective treatment, but it’s expensive and difficult to produce. A biologist at the University of Northern Colorado hopes to change that, with a new type of antivenom that’s cheaper to produce in large amounts. He discusses his research and recent breakthrough on In The NoCo.
