People across northern Colorado are mourning the sudden and shocking death of a local celebrity struck by lightning on the Fourth of July.
Public events in Steamboat Springs and Kremmling won’t be the same without Larry the camel.
Larry, a 15-year-old camel owned by the Aurin Family, was a regular fixture at public events in northern Colorado for more than a decade. The famous camel was killed by a lightning strike while roaming in his pasture on the Chipeta Ranch.
Tracy DelliQuadri, secretary of the Troublesome Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation Inc. and a volunteer at the Chipeta Ranch, said the Fourth of July was the favorite holiday for Larry and owner Bethany Aurin, the woman who considered the camel “her third child.”
“Everybody loved Larry,” DelliQuadri told Cowboy State Daily. “He was a beloved member of this community.”
Larry the camel during his last public appearance at Cliffview Assisted Living in Kremmling, Colorado. Larry was less than a year old when he was gifted to Bethany Aurin, who raised him into the gentle giant that won the hearts of many across northern Colorado. (Courtesy Tracy DelliQuadri) 
Larry the camel being "the greeter" on the Chipeta Ranch near Kremmling, Colorado. Larry was instantly killed by a lightning strike while roaming his pasture on July 4. (Courtesy Tracy DelliQuadri) 
Larry the camel is a celebrity around northern Colorado in parades and at local schools and senior centers. Two days after visiting a group of seniors on the Fourth of July, Larry was hit by lightning and killed. (Courtesy Tracy DelliQuadri) 
Larry the camel at one of the weddings where he was invited as the guest of honor. Larry's calm demeanor made him a Colorado celebrity, and he regularly appeared at public events and parades. (Courtesy Tracy DelliQuadri) 
Larry the camel is a celebrity around northern Colorado in parades and at local schools and senior centers. Two days after visiting a group of seniors on the Fourth of July, Larry was hit by lightning and killed. (Courtesy Tracy DelliQuadri)
Definitely A Celebrity
Bethany Aurin received Larry as a gift when he was less than a year old. A gentle and charismatic disposition that made him a local celebrity was the direct result of Aurin’s loving care, DelliQuadri said.
“She raised Larry,” she said. “She considers Larry her third child after her two daughters. He was very friendly and easy-going, and he was Bethany’s baby.”
The calm, compassionate camel frequently appeared around Steamboat Springs for various events. He could regularly be seen at The Steamboat Smokehouse, a downtown restaurant owned by the Aurins.
Larry frequently appeared in Fourth of July parades, winter carnivals and other events where he won everyone over. DelliQuadri said he was “definitely a celebrity,” as evidenced by all the invitations he received and accepted.
“He was in a live nativity scene in Yampa on Christmas,” she said. “He was the guest of honor at four weddings. He had his own hashtag, #larrythecamel. He was everywhere.”
Larry even appeared in a 2019 episode of “Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet” on Animal Planet. The camel got castrated in the episode titled “Happy Couple of Camels,” which actually augmented his demure demeanor.
Larry’s last public appearance was a visit to Cliffview Assisted Living at Middle Park Health in Kremmling two days before he was killed. DelliQuadri said he frequently visited Cliffview to pose for pictures and “give kisses” to the residents.
“He did that last Wednesday,” she said. “He was so happy, and Bethany was so happy. It was kind of fitting that his last public event was visiting Cliffview.”
Cookies And Kisses
When he wasn’t making public appearances, Larry spent his days on the Chipeta Ranch, the base of operations for Troublesome Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation.
DelliQuadri said Larry was “the greeter” that eagerly welcomed everyone who came to his home.
“We considered him our ambassador,” she said. “He would greet everyone at the door wanting cookies and kisses.”
DelliQuadri recalled the first time she brought her horse to the Chipeta Ranch. Larry’s enthusiastic welcome was a little overwhelming.
“My horse thought he was gonna die,” she said. “Larry came galloping across the field to say hi, and my horse freaked out and took off down the driveway. It took an entire adventure of socializing for our horse to be fine with Larry.”
Larry shared his pasture with other horses, ponies and Camille, another camel.
Camille came to the ranch as a rescue and doesn’t have the same gentle temperament that Larry exuded at every opportunity.
“Camille is very distrustful of humans,” DelliQuadri said. “She likes us now, and she liked Larry, but we couldn't do the same kind of work with Camille that we've done with Larry. As far as trailering him around and letting them visit seniors and small children, Camille can’t do that.”
Larry was a beloved presence at the Chipeta Ranch, which adds to the tragedy of his sudden and unexpected death July 4.
Larry the camel is a celebrity around northern Colorado in parades and at local schools and senior centers. Two days after visiting a group of seniors on the Fourth of July, Larry was hit by lightning and killed. (Courtesy Tracy DelliQuadri) 
Larry the camel is a celebrity around northern Colorado in parades and at local schools and senior centers. Two days after visiting a group of seniors on the Fourth of July, Larry was hit by lightning and killed. (Courtesy Tracy DelliQuadri) 
Larry the camel during his last public appearance at Cliffview Assisted Living in Kremmling, Colorado. Larry was less than a year old when he was gifted to Bethany Aurin, who raised him into the gentle giant that won the hearts of many across northern Colorado. (Courtesy Tracy DelliQuadri) 
Larry the camel is a celebrity around northern Colorado in parades and at local schools and senior centers. Two days after visiting a group of seniors on the Fourth of July, Larry was hit by lightning and killed. (Courtesy Tracy DelliQuadri)
Struck Down
DelliQuadri said Larry had been living on the Chipeta Ranch since the Aurins moved away from Steamboat Springs five years ago. He was in his pasture when he was struck and killed by lightning.
“Bethany had visited with him in the morning, checked on him again later that day and went to teach a riding lesson,” she said. “When she went out again, he was gone.”
It appears that Larry was instantly killed, which is some small comfort for Aurin, DelliQuadri, and everyone who had come to love the compassionate camel.
The Aurin family is preparing a statement about the life and death of Larry while processing their grief. DelliQuandri said she’s fielding questions because Bethany is still struggling with her sadness over losing her beloved camel.
“When she starts to talk about Larry, she cries and can't talk,” she said. “She's trying, but she’s devastated.”
Irreplaceable
DelliQuandri said she, the Aurins, and many other people in northern Colorado will feel the loss of Larry for a long time.
“Larry was everywhere,” she said. “He’d hang out in front of the Steamboat Smokehouse. He was in the Fourth of July and winter parades. He did benefits for the Humane Society, visited senior centers, and he’d go to Murdoch’s, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore and REI.”
Larry was a big animal, but his death leaves an even bigger hole in the hearts of DelliQuandri and so many others, she said. There are millions of camels, but there was only one Larry.
“He’s irreplaceable,” DelliQuandri said. “He was a member of the family, a member of the ranch, and a member of the rescue. He can't be and won't be replaced.”
Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.
