Laughing Valley Ranch Truck Fire GoFundMe to Help Santa Bill of Idaho Springs

The recent vehicle fire that briefly closed I-70 involved a special trailer of livestock it seems. Mr. Lee's son posted on our Facebook Page that they need help getting their truck and trailer replaced so they are ready for Christmas! Here's the link to the GoFundMe fundraiser.

Good Samaritans Help ‘Santa Bill’ & Donkeys During I-70 Fire
By Jamie Leary
September 17, 2018

IDAHO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) – The community is coming together to help a man who has spent his life helping others. Bill Lee, known better as “Santa” Bill, is a community staple.

He is Santa Clause and runs a ranch in Idaho Springs where he cares for all kinds of animals including, of course, reindeer.

As magical as Santa Bill is, even he has bad days. Last Saturday, he was driving home from a Colorado Pack Burro Race with a stock trailer of 16 donkeys when the engine of his truck caught fire.

Santa Bill will try and repair the trailer, but his truck was totaled. It was an old work truck, and Santa only had liability insurance.

Laughing Valley Ranch Truck Fire GoFundMe

On the evening of Saturday, September 15th 2018, "Santa" Bill Lee was driving home from a Colorado Pack Burro Race with a stock trailer of 16 donkeys when the engine of his F350 ranch pickup truck caught on fire on Interstate 70 near Floyd Hill.

Bill pulled over and began to put out the fire, but it would not stop. His concern instantly transitioned to keeping the animals out of harm. With the help of good samaritans and a set of chains, the gooseneck trailer was dragged to a safe distance to save the donkeys, but the trailer was severely damaged in the process.

The animals were saved, but now they need help.

A truck and trailer are the lifeblood of a healthy ranch. Combined, these tools support the burros, reindeer, llamas, goats, highland cattle and other animals who live at Laughing Valley Ranch. The truck and trailer are required to transport hay and feed for the animals, as well as move the animals for Christmas and Colorado Mountain Heritage events as well as veterinary services.

"Santa" Bill needs your help, everyone's help, to recover from this costly roadside emergency and burro rescue. To care for the animals, as well as share them with countless of cheerful Coloradans at Christmas and Mountain Heritage events Bill quickly needs a replacement truck and trailer. The truck is a total loss and there was considerable EXTRA material damage that incurred to protect the animals. The trailer damage may not be repairable.

Time is a priority concern as well. Not only is the truck and trailer required to care for the animals, but it is required to financially support the ranch as the animals visit humans in petting zoos, Colorado Heritage events, and soon the reindeer are scheduled to visit children and other guests at Christmas events.

Please consider donating that which you can, and share this page with everyone you know who embraces the spirit of Colorado and Christmas cheer. Every amount helps get Santa and his friendly animals rolling back to bring joy to others throughout Colorado.

As of the time of this posting, $19,665 of $30,000 goal has been met.

On Sept. 15, “Santa” Bill Lee’s truck caught fire on I-70 while hauling burros back from a race in Frederick. The burros and Lee were safe but the truck was damaged beyond repair.

Today, Lee received a new sleigh courtesy of several businesses that donated dozens of parts, hundreds of man-hours and thousands of dollars’ worth of work to get “Santa” ready for Christmas.

Lee, who lives near Idaho Springs, was overwhelmed and thanked everyone for the gift, saying it was the best one he could’ve received.


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