In The NoCo

KUNC
  • 4.8 (40)
  • Daily News
  • Updated Weekly

KUNC's In The NoCo is a daily look at the stories, news, people and issues important to you. It's a window to the communities along the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The show explores the big stories of the day, bringing context and insight to issues that matter. And because life in Northern Colorado is a balance of work and play, we explore the lighter side of news, highlighting what makes this state such an incredible place to live.

  1. 5h ago

    Colorado wildlife officials say they'll stop killing wolves that attack livestock. What's behind the new policy?

    Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials made a major announcement last week: They will no longer kill wolves believed to have repeatedly preyed on livestock.  It's a shift in how Colorado has managed its fledgling wolf population. Previously, officials tried to strike a balance between Colorado voters’ desire to reintroduce wolves – and the concerns of ranchers who say the animals kill and harass their livestock.  But for now, using lethal methods to manage wolves is off the table. So, what's behind this no-kill directive from Colorado Parks and Wildlife?  Tracy Ross follows this story for The Colorado Sun. She talked with Erin O’Toole about what this new policy says about the state of wolf reintroduction in Colorado.  * * * * * Sign up for the In The NoCo newsletter: Visit KUNC.org Questions? Feedback? Story ideas? Email us: NOCO@KUNC.org Like what you're hearing? Help more people discover In The NoCo by rating the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks!  Host and Producer: Erin O'Toole Executive Producer: Brad Turner  Theme music by Robbie Reverb Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions In The NoCo is a production of KUNC News and Community Radio for Northern Colorado.

  2. 4d ago

    Why more students with autism are looking to Colorado public schools for special education services

    Across Colorado, public schools are serving more students with autism.   The increases over the past five years are striking: In Denver Public Schools, the state's largest district, there's been a nearly 75% increase in the number of students with an autism diagnosis who seek help from special education services. And while the exact increase varies from district to district, those figures are higher across Colorado, according to data from the state's Department of Education.  Students on the autism spectrum often require extra support from a teacher. Or a more calming classroom setting. So how do Colorado schools support those students -- and where do they find the resources to serve more of them?  Melanie Asmar is an education reporter for Chalkbeat Colorado. She recently spent time in some Denver classrooms and reported on the numbers. She joined Erin O'Toole for a look at how this trend is shaping the state's public schools.  * * * * * Sign up for the In The NoCo newsletter: Visit KUNC.org Questions? Feedback? Story ideas? Email us: NOCO@KUNC.org Like what you're hearing? Help more people discover In The NoCo by rating the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks!  Host and Producer: Erin O'Toole Executive Producer: Brad Turner  Theme music by Robbie Reverb Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions In The NoCo is a production of KUNC News and Community Radio for Northern Colorado.

  3. 5d ago

    Love the sight of aspen trees in the fall? Here’s why you may not want to plant one in your yard

    It’s fall in Colorado – which means mountain roads have been filled with people enjoying the sight of all those red, orange and gold aspen leaves that cover the hillsides.  And you can bet that quite a few of those tourists will look at those vibrant aspen trees and wonder why they can't just plant one in their own yard.   John Murgel, a horticulture specialist with Colorado State University Extension, says they frequently field questions from the public about whether they can plant an aspen tree at home.   "I think aspens have a special way of evoking strong memories of going to the mountains and looking at leaves,” he said. “So it's a way to bring those experiences and those memories closer to home.”  Unfortunately, Murgel says that although the aspen is a uniquely beautiful tree, it may be a lousy choice for your landscape. He joined Erin O’Toole in 2024 to discuss the science behind that. We’re revisiting that conversation today.  If you’re looking to plant a tree this fall or in the spring, Murgel mentioned several alternatives to aspen – including the American Hornbeam and the Rocky Mountain maple. Here are a few more suggested varieties and a helpful guide to planting from the horticulture desk at CSU Extension.  * * * * * Sign up for the In The NoCo newsletter: Visit KUNC.org Questions? Feedback? Story ideas? Email us: NOCO@KUNC.org Like what you're hearing? Help more people discover In The NoCo by rating the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks!  Host and Producer: Erin O'Toole Executive Producer: Brad Turner  Theme music by Robbie Reverb Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions In The NoCo is a production of KUNC News and Community Radio for Northern Colorado.

  4. 6d ago

    How a unique new library celebrates – and helps Coloradans explore – the great outdoors

    A library that’s focused on encouraging people to get outside might feel a bit odd – especially in a state like Colorado with a multitude of ways to hike or camp or spend time outdoors.   But getting out into nature isn't always within reach for everyone. For example, a camping trip can require expensive gear like tents, backpacks and sleeping bags.  The new Anythink Nature Library in Thornton opened in August with an unusual mission: to remove some barriers to getting outside. In addition to books, patrons can check out rentable outdoor gear – or hike on a trail at the open space just outside the library branch.  Mark Fink is the executive director of Anythink Libraries, which is the library district for Adams County. He talked with Erin O’Toole about the idea behind a nature library, and how the response has been.  If this conversation makes you realize you’re overdue to get out and enjoy autumn in Colorado, these recent In The NoCo interviews might help: Check out a guide to the restorative practice of forest bathing, how you can help prepare your drought-stressed lawn for next year, or why you probably shouldn’t plant an aspen tree in your yard.   * * * * * Sign up for the In The NoCo newsletter: Visit KUNC.org Questions? Feedback? Story ideas? Email us: NOCO@KUNC.org Like what you're hearing? Help more people discover In The NoCo by rating the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks!  Host and Producer: Erin O'Toole Executive Producer: Brad Turner  Theme music by Robbie Reverb Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions In The NoCo is a production of KUNC News and Community Radio for Northern Colorado.

  5. Sep 29

    The Colorado Rockies just wrapped up a historically bad season. Here's why fans at Coors Field remain loyal

    The Colorado Rockies have some of the most loyal fans in all of baseball. And that might be part of their problem.  As we look back on another historically bad season, consider this statistic: The Rockies now have the dubious distinction of being just the fifth team in major league history to lose at least 100 games in four consecutive seasons.  And yet, plenty of fans still show up.  That's been the story of the Rockies for years: The team struggles. The fans keep coming. And the steady ticket sales mean ownership has little incentive to build a better team.  So what’s behind the uncommonly loyal baseball fans here in Colorado?   To find out, In The NoCo’s Brad Turner talked last year with Kevin Simpson of the Colorado Sun. Kevin’s been a season ticket holder since the Rockies’ very first season – and he’s written about why the fans stick around, even as the Rockies have one bad season after the next. We’re revisiting that conversation today.  * * * * *  Sign up for the In The NoCo newsletter: Visit KUNC.org Questions? Feedback? Story ideas? Email us: NOCO@KUNC.org Like what you're hearing? Help more people discover In The NoCo by rating the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks!  Host and Producer: Erin O'Toole Executive Producer: Brad Turner  Theme music by Robbie Reverb Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions In The NoCo is a production of KUNC News and Community Radio for Northern Colorado.

  6. Sep 25

    Sen. John Hickenlooper thinks more transparent pricing could lower healthcare costs. Could it work?

    More transparency in healthcare pricing – and fewer surprises from the billing department.    Those are the key concepts behind a new Senate bill called the Patients Deserve Price Tags Act. It would require hospitals to be more up-front about what they'll charge you for medical procedures, and to send an itemized breakdown of the costs after a patient receives care.   Colorado Democratic Sen. John Hickenlooper introduced the bill with a Republican co-sponsor, Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas. Since then, it's moved forward from Senate committee hearings with bipartisan support.  As the bill waits to be heard on the U.S. Senate floor, we talked with Sen.  Hickenlooper about why he thinks transparent pricing is a key first step toward reforming American healthcare.  * * * * * Sign up for the In The NoCo newsletter: Visit KUNC.org Questions? Feedback? Story ideas? Email us: NOCO@KUNC.org Like what you're hearing? Help more people discover In The NoCo by rating the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks!  Host and Producer: Erin O'Toole Executive Producer: Brad Turner  Theme music by Robbie Reverb Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions In The NoCo is a production of KUNC News and Community Radio for Northern Colorado.

  7. Sep 24

    In Colorado author Melissa Payne’s new novel, a tragedy raises questions about how to live a good life

    A fictional shooting in a Colorado diner. A protagonist who finds himself in a space in between life and death. And a hero who's forced to grapple with whether or not he's led a meaningful life.   These are key elements of a thought-provoking new novel by Colorado author Melissa Payne, called In This Life or Another. It was published earlier this month.   The book explores the question of what it means to live a life of meaning and purpose, and whether small acts count as much as grand gestures like saving another person's life.  Melissa has written seven novels, several of which have been recognized by the Colorado Authors League and the Colorado Book Awards.   She spoke with Erin O’Toole about the book, which she began writing at a point in her life when she found herself grappling with some big life questions of her own.  Melissa will also help present the inaugural Mountain Stories Literary Festival this weekend at the Center for the Arts Evergreen.   * * * * * Sign up for the In The NoCo newsletter: Visit KUNC.org Questions? Feedback? Story ideas? Email us: NOCO@KUNC.org Like what you're hearing? Help more people discover In The NoCo by rating the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks!  Host and Producer: Erin O'Toole Executive Producer: Brad Turner  Theme music by Robbie Reverb Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions In The NoCo is a production of KUNC News and Community Radio for Northern Colorado.

  8. Sep 23

    Hot classrooms affect students’ ability to learn, researchers say. Here’s why those early-dismissal days are helpful

    It's become common in recent years: In the first weeks after summer break ends, many educators find themselves dealing with stifling temperatures in the classroom. And a string of early release days often follows.  It happened again this year -- at the tail-end of a summer that saw record-breaking temperatures across the Front Range, according to meteorologists.   If you find yourself wondering if kids should just deal with a warmer classroom, some new research from the American Psychological Association might change your thinking.  Researchers there dug into findings from hundreds of studies about how classroom temperature affects student performance.  Nicole Barnes is executive lead psychologist for education with the APA, and author of the study. She joined Erin O’Toole to talk about the research and why classroom heat affects some students more severely.  * * * * * Sign up for the In The NoCo newsletter: Visit KUNC.org Questions? Feedback? Story ideas? Email us: NOCO@KUNC.org Like what you're hearing? Help more people discover In The NoCo by rating the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks!  Host and Producer: Erin O'Toole Executive Producer: Brad Turner  Theme music by Robbie Reverb Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions In The NoCo is a production of KUNC News and Community Radio for Northern Colorado.

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4.8
out of 5
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About

KUNC's In The NoCo is a daily look at the stories, news, people and issues important to you. It's a window to the communities along the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The show explores the big stories of the day, bringing context and insight to issues that matter. And because life in Northern Colorado is a balance of work and play, we explore the lighter side of news, highlighting what makes this state such an incredible place to live.

Information

  • Creator
    KUNC
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    980
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 KUNC
  • Show Website
    In The NoCo

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