Breakfast With Brooke

CBS4's Luan Akin Says 'It's Time To Go'

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) ― It's never easy to say goodbye to a dear friend. In Copter4 reporter Luan Akin, we've found someone to laugh with, someone to look up to, and someone to trust. After 30 years with the station, the celebrated broadcaster is retiring.

"I started when Channel 4 was KOA and I was overnight weekends. There is not a lower rung on the ladder," Akin said.

She eventually worked her way from radio into television, and Copter4.

"What I see out of this helicopter is enormously interesting, and I want people to share in that excitement and that's how my brain works," said Akin.

The award-winning Akin was part of the long-time team that includes photojournalist David Gregg, and pilots Mike Silva, Tom Landis, and John Mulvey.

"It's Fred, Ginger, and a really good third, and we're all dancing, and no one's stepping on anybody's toes. Everybody knows what to expect from the other person," Said Akin.

Landis agrees. "It's that chaos that goes on at times, and you'll never see it on the air," Landis said.

The Copter4 team has covered big Colorado events from tornadoes in Denver in 1988 to the Ordway fire just last month. Akin said she never imagined her career would take her into a helicopter, but she adapted quickly, particularly enjoying reporting on severe weather. Colleagues regard Akin as the best of the best.

"She's the consummate professional; the best in the state," Gregg said. "I'll miss her intelligence, her curiosity, and her humor. She's got a wicked sense of humor."

One Copter4 event Luan will never forget is her own wedding, in 1993.

"Everybody in the newsroom knew I was getting married ... except me," Akin said.

Silva and Gregg were in on the whole thing, along with Akin's husband, then DIA construction safety manager Skip Guarini.

"Mike comes in carrying this dress I've picked out and says, 'Today's the day and we're running late!' And I said, 'It can't be today, it's a bad hair day!'" said Akin. "We flew to DIA, we got there, there's all these people on the ground, we landed and a friend who was a judge married us and 35 minutes later, we're on our way to Stapleton and we stop and do a live shot because they've shut down Stapleton because of a tornado warning!"

Akin, a master gardener also known for her "Gardening Together" segments, will start a new position with Tagawa Gardens in Parker. She'll be in charge of gardening outreach.

"I'm still going to be talking! They still won't shut me up. But, we'll be talking about plants and flowers and things like that." Akin said.

Akin's crew-mates say they'll miss her sense of humor and professionalism the most.

"I love her sense of humor. Lu is just great to work with. She's got a great wit," Landis said.

"I'm going to miss her like crazy," said Gregg. "it's been a heck of a dance. She's been a heck of a dance partner."

Akin said she will miss her friends, the view, and the message.

"I think that's one thing I'm going to miss the most is being that messenger who says, 'Okay, people, here's what we've got,'" Akin said. "I'm going to miss these guys so much and I'm going to miss the view so much."

Traffic Specialist Lynn Carey will take over Copter4 reporting duties.

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