Erin O'Toole
Host & Senior Producer, Colorado EditionEmail: erin.otoole@kunc.org
As host of KUNC's Colorado Edition, I work closely with our producers and reporters to bring context and diverse perspectives to the important issues of the day. And because life is best when it's a balance of work and play, I love finding stories that highlight culture, music, the outdoors, and anything that makes Colorado such a great place to live.
One of the things I love most about being in public radio is that it embodies and encourages many of the values I hold dear: integrity, creativity, civility and curiosity. At KUNC, I've been so fortunate to work with, and learn from, a growing newsroom that's filled with talented, passionate journalists.
I spent nearly nine years in commercial radio in Cincinnati, Ohio before moving to San Bernardino, California to serve as Morning Edition host and reporter for KVCR. I was selected as a USC/Annenberg Health Journalism fellow in 2008, reporting primarily on the healthcare overhaul, domestic violence and health awareness media campaigns. I joined KUNC as Morning Edition host in 2009, and served as Assistant News Director from 2017 to 2019.
When I'm not at work, you can usually find me hiking with my two dogs, listening to and creating music, and reading (my bookshelves are overflowing with scifi, politics, cookbooks and Nancy Drew mysteries).
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Denver drag queen Diamond Starr is helping run a series of classes for young queens to learn the ins and outs of drag. Their classes on wig maintenance, makeup, performance and sewing are being held at the Factory Fashion art hub in Denver this month. -
COVID-19 cases remain high across the U.S. and in Colorado, driven by the highly transmissible omicron variant. This has been on the minds of college and university administrators as students returned to class this month.
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Risk factors for domestic violence are complex and varied, but some research suggests that incidents increase in the wake of natural disasters, including pandemics and wildfires.
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As COVID-19 cases surge across the state, driven by the omicron variant, Boulder County health officials are dealing with both the ongoing pandemic and health impacts from the Marshall Fire. Camille Rodriguez, executive director of Boulder County Public Health, joins Colorado Edition to talk about how the county is handling these simultaneous issues.
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There is a long history of people creating guides to help others find inclusive spaces. In the 20th century, Black travelers used The Green Book to navigate safely. Now, two Colorado women have created a website that aims to do something similar.
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In the aftermath of the Marshall Fire, many experts contend that urban and suburban neighborhoods are vulnerable as the climate grows warmer. We hear from Jennifer Balch, a fire scientist at the University of Colorado Boulder, about what made the fire such a catastrophic event, and how communities should plan for more fires in the future.
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It has been one week today since the Marshall Fire ignited in Boulder County, ripping through more than 6,000 acres and destroying around 1,000 homes and other structures. Residents and public officials of Louisville and Superior are reeling, but starting to talk about what recovery will look like.
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Thousands of people who have been displaced by the Marshall Fire are now faced with the daunting task of finding a place to live. Seeing a need, two realtors in the Denver metro region started a Facebook group to connect survivors who need a place to stay with people who have one.
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BVSD is reopening schools for students who are ready to return, and giving space to those who aren’tMany students and their families in the Boulder Valley School District are dealing with the aftermath of the Marshall Fire. The district plans to reopen schools on Wednesday following their winter break, less than a week from the start of the disastrous event. Their focus will not be on academics, but on supporting students living in the affected communities.
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The Marshall Fire that erupted in Boulder County on Thursday quickly became the most destructive in state history. Officials estimate nearly 1,000 structures have been destroyed. It was a rare occurrence for December in Colorado, but many experts say similar events will become more common, fueled by extreme climate conditions.
