By Shannon Lukens. (Picture of Lisa Popovich of Main Street Steamboat Springs speaking to Routt County Board of County Commissioners Tuesday morning.)
The Santa House will be allowed on the lawn at the Routt County Courthouse, but only during an event. The Santa House cannot remain there when it is not in use, as has happened in the past. That’s the clarification given by Routt County Commissioners in a letter to the Main Street Steamboat Board on Tuesday.
An example would be the Light up the Night Celebration, traditionally held on Thanksgiving Weekend. Santa has always shown up on a fire truck and sat in his Santa House to listen to the Christmas wishes of local kids.
Santa can still be there, in his house, but only during the event. Main Street Steamboat Springs will again have to apply for permission for the event with a Facility Use Agreement.
The Routt County Administrative Policies and Procedures states: “The placement of any item by the public, other than written material as allowed under this Policy, is strictly prohibited, whether such placement is considered temporary or permanent in nature. Without limitation, this may include art, items in the nature of a memorial, statues, or signs.”
Commissioner Angelica Salinas added, “The exception to this is when an event is approved on the courthouse lawn for a specific duration. Then the event organizers can use the lawn during their event – tents, signs, etc. However, nothing can be staked in the lawn to avoid damage.”
That policy was amended and adopted by Routt County Commissioners Elizabeth Melton, Tim Corrigan, and Tim Redmond on July 20, 2021. (Copied below.)
UPDATE from an email sent at 6:46 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, from Routt County Attorney Lynaia South.
Ms. Lukens: Commissioner Macys asked that I respond to your email.
Ii is my understanding the Public Use of County Property Policy was provided to you by one of our Commissioners, and I have attached it again here. Section III of the policy states that the placement of any item by the public – other than written material as allowed on Limited Public Bulletin Boards – is strictly prohibited, whether such placement is considered temporary or permanent in nature. Section IV allows the use of the Historic Courthouse lawn for limited purposes. Routt County has historically interpreted these two sections together, permitting the temporary use of items on the lawn only in conjunction with an event. This interpretation recognizes that such items are often integral to the nature and function of public events and at the same time preserves the intent of the policy. In this particular instance, the Commissioners have confirmed that MainStreet remains fully eligible to host Santa’s House on the lawn during such an event. They have invited MainStreet to submit a request for that use, to ensure fairness, transparency, and consistency for all organizations and community members who wish to use County property.
Lynaia South (she/her)
County Attorney
970.870.5317
Routt County Commissioner Sonja Macys sent a letter (copied below) to the Board of Directors of Main Street Steamboat Springs Tuesday, after Public Comment at Tuesday’s Commissioner meeting.
Macys said the use of Santa’s House has not been denied for the lawn of the Routt County Courthouse, as reported. An event application has not been submitted, so therefore, nothing has been denied.
“Our current policy does not allow for ongoing, unattended structures or displays to remain on the Lawn for extended periods when no active event is taking place. Under our policy, the Lawn is available for use during active, approved public events,” wrote Macys, on behalf of the Board of Routt County Commissioners.
In the letter, Macys went on to say commissioners reached out to the staff of Main Street Steamboat Springs, both verbally and written, to meet with the board of Main Street Steamboat Springs to discuss the Santa House. “However, these were not met with a response,” said Macys.
She said, “An open dialog with you on this matter would have been our preference,” adding that if that would have happened, “we could have informed you that the City of Steamboat Springs has expressed great enthusiasm at including the Santa House in the first complete holiday season at its civic plaza.”
Steamboat Radio news has confirmed that there are talks about having Santa’s House in the new Civic Plaza, between the new Steamboat Springs City Hall and Steamboat Springs Fire Department.
City Council President Gail Garey tells Steamboat Radio News today, “The City is happy to discuss this and is already exploring relocating Santa to the Civic Plaza.”
Macys ended the correspondence with, “This communication reflects the position of the Routt County Board of County Commissioners. We believe that we can continue our good working relationship with MainStreet and other beloved community organizations by consistently applying the same policy framework that ensures equal access to public spaces for everyone.”
Lisa Popovich with Main Street Steamboat Springs says she received a call from county staff about having to move the Santa House, which is why she asked for help finding a new location. Many suggestions and ideas have been presented through the Steamboat Radio Facebook page.
Popovich also spoke to Routt County Commissioners at Public Comment today, as did other community members.
Popovich thanked commissioners for hosting the Santa House for the last 20 years.
This was also corrected by commissioners at the meeting. Commissioner Salinas wrote, “The Santa House being on the Courthouse Lawn was discussed by the BCC in November of 2008, which was 17 years ago. Between then and now, the Santa House was not on the Courthouse Lawn for 6 of those 17 years (2015-2020.) We verified this through public records including the Steamboat Pilot, MainStreet Steamboat website, and MainStreet Steamboat social media posts.”
Popovich said the Santa House was donated from the ski area. It was an old lift shack. It was renovated and painted by local artists. She asked commissioners permission to have it on the lawn at the courthouse for one more year, as, “It’s difficult to find a new spot in a short amount of time.”
Chris Dillenbeck from F.M. Light & Sons is on the Main Street Steamboat Springs Board. He told commissioners at public comment that his family comes every year to Light Up the Night. “It really makes a difference having the Santa House on the courthouse lawn.” He added that Santa is considered secular and not a religious icon.
Sandie Meade said the Santa House supports downtown businesses. “It’s a visual driving through town.”
Jo Lockhart also spoke about the old-time tradition and that Santa should be grandfathered in. “This would take away the joy of a small town.”
Letter from Routt County Commissioner Chair Sonja Macys to the Main Street Steamboat Springs Board of Directors; Oct. 14, 2025
Dear MainStreet Steamboat Board of Directors,
I am writing on behalf of the Routt County Board of County Commissioners to follow up on recent communications and media reports about the use of the Courthouse Lawn for Santa’s House. We find it unfortunate that MainStreet Steamboat and Steamboat Radio have created the impression that the County “denied” Santa’s House. That is not accurate.
We value this community tradition and are grateful to the local businesses that have embraced its display over the years. The Santa House has had various homes since its inception 17 years ago. It has not been on the courthouse lawn for the past 20 years as the Steamboat Radio article notes, and as MainStreet staff indicated in public comment today. It was not on the Routt County Courthouse Lawn from 2015-2019 and only recently returned to the Lawn in 2021. We confirmed this through historical posts on MainStreet’s website and social media.
The County has not denied MainStreet the use of the Courthouse Lawn. Our current policy does not allow for ongoing, unattended structures or displays to remain on the Lawn for extended periods when no active event is taking place. Under our policy, the Lawn is available for use during active, approved public events. MainStreet remains fully eligible to host Santa’s House on the Lawn during such an event. We have invited you to submit a request for that use, under our policy, to ensure fairness, transparency, and consistency for all organizations and community members who wish to use County property.
Last week MainStreet staff received both verbal and written offers from Commissioners to meet with you, the Board of MainStreet, and discuss this matter directly. However, these were not met with a response.
In the past, the County and MainStreet have collaborated productively on community events and downtown traditions. An open dialog with you on this matter would have been our preference, as noted in our communication to your staff on October 10th. At that time, we could have informed you that the City of Steamboat Springs has expressed great enthusiasm at including the Santa House in the first complete holiday season at its civic plaza.
This communication reflects the position of the Routt County Board of County Commissioners. We believe that we can continue our good working relationship with MainStreet and other beloved community organizations by consistently applying the same policy framework that ensures equal access to public spaces for everyone.
Thanks,
Sonja Macys
Chair, Board of County Commissioners
Oct. 12, 2025 — Santa Claus needs a new home when he visits Steamboat Springs
