After I-70 Truck Fire, Laughing Ranch's 'Santa' Needs Help

IDAHO SPRINGS, CO – Laughing Ranch's "Santa" Bill Lee got into a bit of a predicament on Interstate 70 last week, when his F350 ranch pickup truck engine caught fire Sept. 15. It wasn't just the truck Bill was worried about, but the 16 donkeys in an attached stock trailer, who were returning home from a Colorado Pack Burro race.

As the red pickup blazed on the side of the road near Floyd Hill, some good Samaritans stopped and helped Lee use chains to pull the gooseneck trailer full of animals out of harms way, and away from the burning truck, Lee said. The fire was finally doused by the Evergreen Fire Department.

The white-whiskered Lee stands in for Santa and the occasional 1890s gold prospector at the Idaho Springs petting zoo and animal ranch. The ranch features burros, reindeer, llamas, goats, highland cattle and other animals.

Lee and the Laughing Ranch staff are now raising money to replace the truck and trailer, a hefty proposition.

"A truck and trailer are the lifeblood of a healthy ranch," Lee wrote on a GoFundMe fundraising site. "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."

Laughing Ranch hopes to replace the gooseneck ranch pickup with a used one for $20-25,000. "the truck is a total loss," Lee said. The cost to repair or replace the ranch trailer could be "anywhere from $1,500-$10,000," wrote Lee.

So far, supporters have been generous, donating more than $14,000 the first day of the online fundraiser.

"I worked with [Bill] for 3 years as a member of Blue Key and the care and passion he has for his animals is incredible," wrote Katie Schumacher. "So happy Blaster and all of his friends are okay!"

Lee says he needs to get rolling again to bring Santa's reindeer down the mountain to holiday events.

"Every amount helps get Santa and his friendly animals rolling back to bring joy to others throughout Colorado," Lee wrote.

Image via GoFundMe

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