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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Colorado has played a starring role in many films over the decades. This summer, a unique film festival is highlighting movies with a Colorado connection, with screenings in independent theaters across the state. And it's all part of celebrations of Colorado's150th birthday tomorrow. -
Howelsen Hill is a small ski area in Steamboat Springs – just a fraction of the size of Colorado’s largest ski resorts. But it’s had an outsized impact on the state’s ski culture, and has been the training ground for many Olympians since it opened in 1915. -
Ahead of the state’s 150th birthday, curators at History Colorado had an unusual idea to commemorate the event. They decided to track down the oldest known photo taken in Colorado. The image they uncovered is striking – and it reveals fascinating details about the history of the West. -
Water swept through the canyon between Estes Park and Loveland in one of the deadliest disasters in Colorado history. We look back at the disaster and its aftermath. -
When it comes to fighting wildfires in Colorado, a meteorologist may not be the first job you think about. But incident meteorologists play a key role in helping fire managers plan their response – and keep firefighters as safe as possible. Hear more about the work of an incident meteorologist stationed near a fire in Pueblo. -
On Friday nights, the mayor of one of Colorado’s largest cities is taking an unusual step to better understand issues around homelessness. Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman has been sleeping at his city’s homeless shelter once a week for the past six months. We asked him why, and heard how it’s affecting the way he thinks about the issue. -
When a device like an e-reader or a mobile phone gets old, you often get a notice that the tech company that made it will no longer support it — which usually means you have to buy a new, more expensive version. A Colorado consumer group says that's not fair, and they're pushing tech companies to make changes. -
This past winter was a tough one for Colorado's ski resorts, with warm temperatures and little snow. So some resort managers are hoping to get a head start on next ski season by shielding piles of snow from the sun and heat this summer. We hear more about snow storage, and how it may offer some hope for resorts coping with a warmer climate. -
About one in five new mothers struggles with postpartum depression or anxiety. But a new study led partly by Colorado researchers says psychedelics may soon be an effective treatment for those symptoms – and that they may be more effective than prescription medication or psychotherapy. We dig into an intriguing study. -
Summer is a great time to get away to Colorado’s high country. So today we’re talking about a few summer drives that show off Colorado’s stunning alpine views, scenic forests, and historic communities.
