The town finally decided to give in and make a celebration of “Grandpa.” The shed, falling apart, was soon replaced by a building donated by Tuff Shed and a the Denver Fox radio station. Morstoel now rests in an ice-encased aluminum casket enclosed in a large wooden crate stored in the shed. Bo "The Iceman" Shaffer, an environmental consultant, is Grandpa's current custodian. Shaffer became acquainted with Bauge eight through internet communications. Once a month, Shaffer and two workers take three-quarters of a ton of dry ice from Denver to Nederland, open the homemade freezer box, fill it with the ice, check Morstoel's status, and then seal the shed back up again.

Not only did the town “give in”, but they wound up making a festival, of the entire affair. Now, Nederland celebrates Frozen Dead Guy Days in the late Winter every year. According to the Nederland Visitors Center, the public response has been been "enthusiastic and near-frenzied beyond our wildest expectations." Nederland came a long way from passing a special ordinance in an attempt to remove the body to holding a big festival in Grandpa’s honor.

Grandson, Tyrgve Bauge, is in favor of the festival, as a portion of the proceeds are directed towards Morstoel's maintenance. The festival includes a tour of "Grandpa's Shed," a "Grandpa Look-Alike contest," the Polar Plunge, Coffin Races, and much more.

Nederland is located in western Boulder County, about 20 minutes west of Boulder and an hour and a half from Denver. Located at the crossroads of State Highways 119 and 72, the small town is near the center of the Peak-to-Peak Scenic Historic Byway. Nearby is Eldora Ski Area, dude ranches, fishing, cambing, biking, hiking and horse back riding. Central City and Black Hawk are just another thirty minute drive.

© Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, updated January, 2009