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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Aggressive moose can be a real hazard for hikers in Colorado this time of year. But there are steps you can take to stay safe. For starters, give plenty of room to any moose you encounter on the trail. We’ll learn more about moose in Colorado, and how to stay safe around them. -
Ozone alerts and wildfires affect the outdoor air quality in Colorado during the summer. But an air quality expert from CSU says the air inside your home deserves some attention too. So we asked her for advice on how to keep the indoor air you breathe clean and clear. -
The soldiers who fought some of World War II’s most pivotal battles trained for combat high in the mountains at Camp Hale in Colorado. But after the war, many of them continued to make history. We look at how the veterans from Camp Hale went on to transform outdoor recreation in Colorado – from innovative gear to the state’s ski industry. -
During World War II, the US Army built a unique training ground in the mountains near Leadville. Thousands of soldiers trained at Camp Hale for combat in extreme alpine conditions – and helped secure key victories in the war. A look at a new exhibit exploring the lives of the soldiers who trained in the mountains of Colorado. -
Doctors in Colorado continue to treat an alarming number of young people for anxiety, depression and panic attacks. So a reporter recently spent time with an unusual group of people: An advisory council made up of teenagers who offer advice to state leaders on how to promote better mental health. We’ll hear what kinds of advice she heard. -
Colorado has played a starring role in many films, from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – to Dumb and Dumber. This summer, a film festival will bring movies with Colorado connections to theaters across the state. A look at Colorado’s film history as the state gears up for its 150th birthday. -
Air travel can be a stressful experience during the busy summer season. And it’s not just the crowds – research shows the noise of a busy airport like DIA can add to travelers’ anxiety levels. Which is why Denver airport officials launched an effort to turn down the noise. -
More ranchers in Colorado are using virtual fencing to manage their livestock. The technology allows them to keep their animals within invisible boundaries without having to put up miles of physical fence. A look at how the technology works, and how it may help ranchers better coexist with predators like wolves. -
The warm dry winter Colorado just endured could mean an unusually active summer ahead for bugs. So we’re looking at the grasshoppers, Japanese beetles and other creatures that may pose an unusually big threat to the plants and trees in your neighborhood. And we’ll hear advice from an insect expert with CSU Extension on how to protect your garden. -
A tiny nuclear reactor could be a reality soon at Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora. The Pentagon has proposed installing a microreactor there to power the base. Nuclear power – and the radioactive materials associated with – make a lot of people uneasy. So we reached to an expert on nuclear materials to learn more about how a microreactor would work, and whether it’s a safety concern.
