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.
-
Loveland kindergarten teacher and author Ellen Javernick has published over 20 children’s books. They teach life lessons for young kids and aim to get them thinking about how their actions impact other people. Her newest book, “Awesome of the Day” reflects how, at 87, she continues to energize the kids around her. -
A group of researchers at CSU are celebrating a decade of raising a herd of genetically pure bison. Those bison have been transferred over the years to tribes and wildlife organizations around the West. -
Medical marijuana holds serious promise as a treatment for cancer and its symptoms. That’s the conclusion of a sweeping study from an organization based in Evergreen that reviewed thousands of research papers. The findings showed cannabis was a powerful tool for helping patients manage pain from cancer treatment – and was even helpful in shrinking tumors in a laboratory. -
If you had pets growing up, your body might be better equipped to respond to stress as a result. A new study out of the University of Colorado shows that pets help our immune systems by exposing them to helpful microbes. And those microbes reduce inflammation caused by stress. -
It’s not easy to spot fireflies on Colorado’s Front Range. Development and pesticide use have destroyed much of their habitat. But scientists at the Butterfly Pavilion hope to change that. We hear about a project that aims to bring fireflies back to the night sky. -
Pack burro racing is a uniquely Colorado sport: Runners hit the trail with a donkey by their side. It requires a high level of fitness and an ability to persuade notoriously stubborn animals to run alongside you. A Colorado Sun reporter set out to run her first pack burro race and wrote about the experience. -
Colorado aspen trees are starting to change colors unusually early this year – despite the continued summer heat. Why is this happening? And how will it affect the thousands of leaf-peepers who drive to the high county to enjoy the fall colors? We explore the science behind why the aspens are popping early this year. -
Each year, an art gallery in Canon City hosts an unusual exhibit. Art created by some of the most dangerous convicted criminals in the country is on display – and available to buy. We hear about the prison art program at Colorado’s Supermax facility, and the ethics of selling art by high-profile inmates. -
More relationship therapists are treating people in polyamorous relationships – meaning folks with more than one romantic partner. We talked to one of the therapists who has some tips for communicating well in any relationship – whether you have one partner, or more than one. -
President Trump’s so-called “big beautiful bill” created some unintended consequences for Colorado: It changed how much revenue state lawmakers can expect in the year ahead, and created a $750 million shortfall. So – as state lawmakers prepare for a special session beginning later this week – how will they try to plug that $750 million hole?
