Erin O'Toole
Host & Senior Producer, In the NoCoEmail: erin.otoole@kunc.org
As the host of KUNC鈥檚 new 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鈥檚 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鈥檝e been with KUNC since 2009, minus a brief break where I focused exclusively on a Denver-based podcast. I鈥檝e served in a number of roles here: Morning Edition Host, Assistant 暗黑爆料 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鈥檚 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 roads can be dangerous for bicyclists. Advocates say one way to keep cyclists safer is to require technology be installed in all new motor vehicles that could automatically detect and avoid bicyclists on the road. We explore the promise 鈥� and the limitations 鈥� of this emerging technology, on today鈥檚 In The NoCo. -
A new documentary celebrates the career of an extraordinary competitive runner. Libby James, a Fort Collins athlete, has an impressive array of race performances under her belt 鈥� many of which she achieved after the age of 40. We talk about her legacy in the field of women鈥檚 running, on today鈥檚 In The NoCo. -
If you think eating gluten free means giving up baked goods like biscuits and cinnamon rolls, a Longmont business wants you to think differently. GoodLove Foods recently made an appearance on the TV show Shark Tank 鈥� and came away with a deal. You can learn what got them started, and why their business is thriving amidst a saturated gluten-free market. -
Patients in Colorado who suffer from conditions like anxiety and depression will soon have a new treatment option. They can take part in therapy sessions led by licensed providers... using psychedelic mushrooms. We hear how it works from a doctor who鈥檚 offered this type of therapy for years, today on In The NoCo. -
Thousands of students in Colorado live in areas with underperforming schools known as 鈥渆ducation deserts.鈥� One state lawmaker wants to make it easier for charter schools to open in these areas 鈥� but the idea wouldn鈥檛 be without controversy. We鈥檒l hear about it on today鈥檚 In The NoCo. -
Spring planting season is upon us! But many homeowners are concerned about what plants they should use to help reduce the risk of spreading wildfire. We get expert advice from CSU extension about fire-wise landscaping, on today鈥檚 In the NoCo. -
Thousands of languages around the world are in danger of being lost, as the people who speak them grow older and pass away. But two CU Boulder researchers are trying to keep one such language alive. We hear about how they鈥檙e doing that work. -
In 1955, a man planted a bomb in luggage aboard a United Airlines flight shortly before it took off from Denver. The plane exploded over beet fields in Weld County -- killing everyone on board. Now there鈥檚 a new History Colorado exhibit commemorating the tragedy. Today on In The NoCo, we hear the story of Flight 629, and a local group's efforts to create a memorial. -
Running a restaurant is expensive 鈥� and Northern Colorado has seen a recent wave of local favorites closing down. So what鈥檚 behind this trend 鈥� and can state lawmakers do anything to help? KUNC鈥檚 Emma VandenEinde joins In The NoCo to explain. -
Western forests are taking longer to grow back after wildfires. That鈥檚 partly because climate change has made it harder for new trees to survive where the old trees would have thrived. Today on In The NoCo, we hear from a CSU researcher with a new strategy for how to regrow forests more quickly.
