News
Sports
ENLARGE
Bill Lee is a man for all seasons — and a whole lot of reasons.
While many in Summit County don't know him by his real name, they do know who he is.
The Idaho Springs man and wife Carol own the Laughing Valley Ranch, where they run a variety of animals, including reindeer, burros, goats, llamas and exotic shaggy cattle.
Up here we know him as Santa Claus, Redtail the Mountain Man, and Billy Lee the Burro Racer.
He's been Frisco's Santa for a decade, and his photo appeared in this column at Christmastime with the Joe Johnson Family.
Bill's also played Santa out at Keystone Resort. And he's been Denver Mall's jolly guy for many years, with Westword naming him The Best Santa Claus in Denver.
Over at the Dillon Amphitheater, dressed in his full leathers, feathers and beads, Bill Lee mesmerizes kids and adults alike with his tales of life in the Rocky Mountains, portraying Redtail the Mountain Man.
Just yesterday, Bill turned 62. But that's not the reason for featuring him here.
A week ago today, Bill was badly hurt and remains in St. Anthony Central Hospital's ICU.
He had taken one of his many animals to the vet to be checked.
While there, his truck and trailer started rolling with him outside. He ran to stop the rig, took a tumble and was run over, his chest crushed.
Calls for support for The Lees are coming from the Colorado Pack Burro Racing Association, and racers like Hal Walter (Butch and Janet Elich's brother-in-law) of Westcliffe, and indy filmmaker Curtis Imrie of Buena Vista.
“Over the many years I've known Bill through burro racing,” recalls Hal, “he's proven to be about as selfless as a person can be in promoting the sport. For years he's hauled a trailerload of burros to every race so that other people can have the experience of participating. He knows it's not about him, it's about the animals, history and the sport.”
“Through Bill's tragic accident we've now found this spirit extends to other areas of his life,” Hal says. “People are coming out of the woodwork to offer their support, and many of them have a story about how his caring attitude has made a positive impact on their lives. Whether he's Santa or Redtail, or merely Bill, his ability to connect with people through his work with animals is an amazing gift to us all.”
Hal, a veteran of 32 years on the pack-burro racing circuit, is a six-time Fairplay World Champion — winning there four times with “Spike,” bought from Bill.
Others praising Bill include longtime Summiteers Bob Lembke and Ted Shipman, along with Town of Frisco's Seth Blackmer.
“Bill Lee is a wonderful, colorful character who has enriched many of our lives,” sums up Bob in an email.
Cards and donations: Laughing Valley Ranch, Box 1810, Idaho Springs, CO 80452. Get well, Bill.
****
If you're looking to go to the beach, better head to Barkley's West on Saturday, April 16, starting at 6 p.m.
Dan Fallon and Mikey Meindl are hosting their First Annual Beachfeast to benefit the High Lakes Ski (waterskiing) Club.
Dan owns Peppino's Pizza and both used to own the old Barkley's, which is now Ollie's. Now, there's some Frisco history.
Cost for the pizza and pasta dinner is $10 for adults and $5 for kids up to 12. If you wear “beach duds” you get “free suds.”
See this link: highlakesskiclub.com
••••
Miles F. Porter IV, nicknamed “Spike,” a Coloradan since 1949, is an Army veteran, former Climax miner, graduate of Adams State College, and a local since 1982. An award-winning investigative reporter, he and wife Mary E. Staby owned newspapers here for 20 years.
Email your social info to milesfporteriv@aol.com
While many in Summit County don't know him by his real name, they do know who he is.
The Idaho Springs man and wife Carol own the Laughing Valley Ranch, where they run a variety of animals, including reindeer, burros, goats, llamas and exotic shaggy cattle.
Up here we know him as Santa Claus, Redtail the Mountain Man, and Billy Lee the Burro Racer.
He's been Frisco's Santa for a decade, and his photo appeared in this column at Christmastime with the Joe Johnson Family.
Bill's also played Santa out at Keystone Resort. And he's been Denver Mall's jolly guy for many years, with Westword naming him The Best Santa Claus in Denver.
Over at the Dillon Amphitheater, dressed in his full leathers, feathers and beads, Bill Lee mesmerizes kids and adults alike with his tales of life in the Rocky Mountains, portraying Redtail the Mountain Man.
Just yesterday, Bill turned 62. But that's not the reason for featuring him here.
A week ago today, Bill was badly hurt and remains in St. Anthony Central Hospital's ICU.
He had taken one of his many animals to the vet to be checked.
While there, his truck and trailer started rolling with him outside. He ran to stop the rig, took a tumble and was run over, his chest crushed.
Calls for support for The Lees are coming from the Colorado Pack Burro Racing Association, and racers like Hal Walter (Butch and Janet Elich's brother-in-law) of Westcliffe, and indy filmmaker Curtis Imrie of Buena Vista.
“Over the many years I've known Bill through burro racing,” recalls Hal, “he's proven to be about as selfless as a person can be in promoting the sport. For years he's hauled a trailerload of burros to every race so that other people can have the experience of participating. He knows it's not about him, it's about the animals, history and the sport.”
“Through Bill's tragic accident we've now found this spirit extends to other areas of his life,” Hal says. “People are coming out of the woodwork to offer their support, and many of them have a story about how his caring attitude has made a positive impact on their lives. Whether he's Santa or Redtail, or merely Bill, his ability to connect with people through his work with animals is an amazing gift to us all.”
Hal, a veteran of 32 years on the pack-burro racing circuit, is a six-time Fairplay World Champion — winning there four times with “Spike,” bought from Bill.
Others praising Bill include longtime Summiteers Bob Lembke and Ted Shipman, along with Town of Frisco's Seth Blackmer.
“Bill Lee is a wonderful, colorful character who has enriched many of our lives,” sums up Bob in an email.
Cards and donations: Laughing Valley Ranch, Box 1810, Idaho Springs, CO 80452. Get well, Bill.
****
If you're looking to go to the beach, better head to Barkley's West on Saturday, April 16, starting at 6 p.m.
Dan Fallon and Mikey Meindl are hosting their First Annual Beachfeast to benefit the High Lakes Ski (waterskiing) Club.
Dan owns Peppino's Pizza and both used to own the old Barkley's, which is now Ollie's. Now, there's some Frisco history.
Cost for the pizza and pasta dinner is $10 for adults and $5 for kids up to 12. If you wear “beach duds” you get “free suds.”
See this link: highlakesskiclub.com
••••
Miles F. Porter IV, nicknamed “Spike,” a Coloradan since 1949, is an Army veteran, former Climax miner, graduate of Adams State College, and a local since 1982. An award-winning investigative reporter, he and wife Mary E. Staby owned newspapers here for 20 years.
Email your social info to milesfporteriv@aol.com
