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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People who decide to get in-patient help for substance abuse or mental health issues often face a dilemma: While they get treatment, who will care for their pets? Hear about a Colorado program that offers foster care for pets of people in recovery. -
Despite this week’s snowstorm along the Front Range, your plants and garden are going to need extra help to overcome our very dry winter. Hear advice on native, drought-tolerant plants that will thrive even in our arid climate – and how to keep your plants healthy this summer. A conversation recorded at In The NoCo’s recent live event featuring experts from CSU Extension. -
This year’s historically low snowpack means Colorado heads into summer with less water in reservoirs, and higher wildfire danger. But forecasters are hopeful that a recurring climate pattern called El Nino will help bring some badly needed rain later this year. Colorado’s state climatologist discusses how El Nino could affect the state. -
Data centers are pivotal to artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Some Colorado lawmakers say the state needs more data centers – and that they could generate jobs and tax revenue. But data centers also consume huge amounts of energy and water. Do the future benefits outweigh the costs? -
A new study by an archaeologist at Colorado State University looked at dice first used by Native American hunter-gatherers more than 12,000 years ago. The games were a way for tribes to connect with each other and trade goods, even without speaking the same language. We look at what this discovery reveals about the role of game-playing in human society. -
In a warm, dry springtime, your lawn may need extra care. Here’s where to start – and what not to doYour yard may need a little help right now. Hear tips on how to keep your lawn healthy, and how to water wisely in a dry year. A conversation recorded at In The NoCo’s recent live event, featuring experts from the CSU Extension. -
Over the past decade, a group of zoos and aquariums have teamed up for an unusual rescue project. They work together to save and grow threatened coral from an underwater zone off the coast of Florida. Meet a marine biologist in Colorado who’s leading an important part of that preservation work, even though she’s hundreds of miles from the ocean. -
TikTok and other short-form social videos are a major news source for young people. A new study by a CU Boulder professor found that TikTok might not change political views – but it does leave them feeling angry and sad. We dig into the research, and what it means for elections. -
Democrats tend to present themselves as pro-worker. But a recent bill to scale back overtime rules for farm workers caused a split among Colorado Democrats, with a handful joining state Republicans to pass the legislation. What this means for farmworkers – and why 11 Democrats decided to support the bill. -
Workers at the Rocky Flats plant northwest of Denver helped build nuclear weapons during the Cold War. The plant is gone, and the land is now a wildlife refuge. A documentary and a new art exhibit explore the controversial history of Rocky Flats, and the memories of its employees.
