Alright, we’re taking a break from covering businesses this week so we can cover Halloween events, but Dunkin’ is soft opening their new Castle Rock location today starting at 7am. Tomorrow is another soft opening day, and the grand opening celebration is Saturday from 8 to 10am. My Instagram post on it is here. And if you didn’t catch last week’s newsletter, which featured Joy Batch, the new cookie shop in Highlands Ranch, you’ll want to go back and read it — everyone who’s gone seems to love it. On to Halloween, but first, a look at our new sponsor!
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Halloween in Douglas County: the game plan
Halloween's on a Saturday this year, and the clocks fall back that night, so technically we all get an extra hour of Halloween. I plan on spending mine on candy. Here's how to find the good houses, plus everything going on around the county this weekend and Halloween weekend. Kids' stuff first, grown-up stuff after.
Find the good houses
Nextdoor Treat Map (you’ll need to sign in to Nextdoor), live through Oct 31. Neighbors pin their house with what they’re handing out and when, and you can plan a route without pinning your own. It only shows your block, not your address.
Decorating maps: Highlands Ranch (HRCA adds homes through Oct 30) and Parker both have one.
Home haunts: Frightmaps lists a few around here, including Clements Haunted Hollow in Castle Rock (raising money for St. Jude). Check each house's own page before you go, though, because not everything on Frightmaps is up to date.
For the kids
Castle Pines Fall Festival and Trick-or-Treat Street: Sat Oct 24, 10am to 2pm at Village Square. Free.
Kiddie Academy of Parker Trunk-or-Treat: Sat Oct 24, 10am to 2pm. Free.
Boo Bash at the Outlets at Castle Rock: Sat Oct 24, 11am to 2pm. Free: candy, costumes and activities.
Beastly Bash: Sat Oct 24, 11am to 2pm at Larkspur Community Park, with a haunted area from Larkspur Fire. $5 a person, $15 for a family 4-pack, free for 3 and under.
Trunk or Treat on Mainstreet: Sat Oct 24 behind Parker Station, up to 60 decorated trunks. Sensory hour 1 to 2pm, general admission 2 to 5pm. Free, but every kid needs a timed ticket (parents don’t).
Lyric’s Fall Fest: Sat Oct 24, 1 to 4pm at The Groove at Lyric in Lone Tree. Free.
Haunted Forest Fall Fest: Sat Oct 24, 1 to 4pm in Lone Tree ($5 adults, $10 kids), then Fright Lite from 5 to 7pm ($10): same trail, lights and music, but the scarers don’t act.
Dads of Castle Rock Trunk or Treat: Sat Oct 24, 5 to 8pm at Douglas County High School. Free. Decorated trunks, candy, food trucks and bounce houses.
Fangtastic Festival: Fri Oct 30, 11am to 2pm at Festival Park in Castle Rock. Free. A daytime trick-or-treat for the little ones not in school yet and homeschool families.
Last Stop: Halloween Night at the Highlands Ranch Mansion: Sat Oct 31, 6:30 to 9pm. Free, all ages, outdoors only: trick-or-treating, a DJ and a cash bar for the grown-ups. Parking is limited, so carpool, and no pets.
For the brave
HRCA Haunted Forest in Lone Tree: Fri Oct 23 (6:30 to 9:30pm) and Sat Oct 24 (7 to 10pm). $15, or $25 for a fast pass, recommended for ages 10 and up.
Haunted Hayrides at Stockton’s Plum Creek Stables in Roxborough: Fri Oct 23 and Sat Oct 24, 6 to 8:30pm. $16, free for 2 and under.
For the grown-ups
Ghostly Stories and Tragic Tales: walking tours of downtown Castle Rock from the Castle Rock Museum, 7pm on Oct 22, 28 and 29, plus 1pm on Halloween. Free, but reservations are required: 303-814-3164.
Sat Oct 24: Takoda Tavern’s Halloween Costume Party and Contest in Parker, 7pm to midnight. Free.
Wed Oct 28: Halloween Trivia at Lone Tree Brewing’s Parker taproom, 6 to 8:30pm, with a costume contest at 7.
Thu Oct 29: Haunted Histories: Ghosts of Colorado at the Castle Pines library, 6 to 7:30pm (free), or the Halloween Dance at the Highlands Ranch Senior Center, 5 to 8pm ($19 members, $22 nonmembers).
Fri Oct 30: 105 West’s Halloween Party and Cereal Killer Competition in Castle Rock: their homebrew club taps four beers made with Lucky Charms, Apple Jacks, Golden Grahams and Cinnamon Toast Crunch at 4pm, and the first keg to kick wins. Costume contest at 8pm, live music 6:30 to 9:30pm.
Sat Oct 31: The Whiskey Lodge from 7pm (free: karaoke, a costume contest and drink and food specials), Sinners & Saints with DJ Max and DJ Marvin at 8pm (free), Max Taps in Highlands Ranch with One Way to Rock from 7 to 10pm, and That Eighties Band at Wide Open Saloon in Sedalia from 7 to 10:30pm ($17.85 to $33.85).
Pumpkins (last call)
Barnside Pumpkins in Sedalia: final weekend, Sat Oct 24 and Sun Oct 25, 10am to 5pm. Free admission.
Lone Creek Farms in Franktown: through Nov 1, with Harvest Glow Lights on Friday and Saturday nights.
Parker: there’s a pumpkin patch on Mainstreet.
Everything else Halloween around the county lives on our Halloween events page.
Wednesday, October 28. Downtown Parker.
If you haven’t joined yet, you just show up at 6:30pm and sit down with five neighbors you’ve never met. We do the matching and book the restaurant. You order off the menu and pay for your own food and drinks. After dinner, every table heads to the after-party at a bar nearby.
Use code PARKER5 for $5 off.
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Help Wanted
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Saddle Up
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Featured Event: All American Reptile & Plant Expo
Adventure Awaits in Castle Rock
Castle Rock, get ready for a weekend of Reptiles, Plants, Insects, Amphibians, Face Painting, Tattoos, Food Trucks and Snake Discovery!
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Featured Event: All American Collectors Expo
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Top Events This Week
Fri 10/23 - Bonfire, BBQ, and Brews, Village Square Shopping Area/Castle Pines - 6pm–9pm - $42 adults, $30 under 21
Sat 10/24 - Oaked and Smoked: A Whiskey and BBQ Tasting, Eastridge Recreation Center/Highlands Ranch - 3pm–6pm - $45
Sat 10/24 - Dueling Pianos at Wide Open Saloon, Wide Open Saloon/Sedalia - 7pm–10:30pm - From $12.51
Sat 10/24 - Free Comedy Show at Max Taps, Max Taps/Highlands Ranch - 7:30pm–9:30pm - Free
Sun 10/25 - Fall Festival at Abundant Life Parker, Abundant Life Parker/Parker - 4:30pm–8:30pm - Free
Wed 10/28 - 15 Years of Musical Theater Memories, A Celebration On Stage, PACE Center/Parker - 7:30pm - $49–$54
Music & Concerts
Tailgate Tavern & Grill (Parker) - Eric Golden Band at Tailgate Tavern - Thu 10/22, 7:30pm–11:30pm - Free
Wide Open Saloon (Sedalia) - ReCline at Wide Open Saloon - Fri 10/23 - Free
The Groove at Lyric (Lone Tree) - Friday Night Live: Antonio Lopez at The Groove - Fri 10/23, 5pm–8pm - Free
Prost Brewing Highlands Ranch - Live Music with Dead and Friends - Fri 10/23, 5pm–8pm - Free
The Stagecoach Saloon (Franktown) - Raven-Wolf Band at The Stagecoach Saloon - Fri 10/23, 6:30pm–10:30pm - Free
Takoda Tavern (Parker) - Orchard Road at Takoda Tavern - Fri 10/23, 7:30pm–11:30pm - Free
Tailgate Tavern & Grill (Parker) - Guild of Ages at Tailgate Tavern - Fri 10/23 and Sat 10/24, 8:30pm–12:30am - Free
Sinners & Saints (Castle Rock) - Wendy Woo, Live at the Altar - Fri 10/23, 8pm–10pm - Free
Prost Brewing Highlands Ranch - Live Music with Darker by far - Sat 10/24, 5pm–8pm - Free
The Stagecoach Saloon (Franktown) - Wags and the Boys at The Stagecoach Saloon - Sat 10/24, 6:30pm–10:30pm - Free
105 West Brewing Company (Castle Rock) - Live Music: Wirewood Station at 105 West - Sat 10/24, 6:30pm–9:30pm - Free
Takoda Tavern (Parker) - Hard 45 at Takoda Tavern - Sat 10/24, 7:30pm–11:30pm - Free
Studio@Mainstreet (Parker) - Twos Company at The Studio - Sun 10/25, 1pm–4pm - Free
The Old North End Restaurant & Deli (Castle Rock) - Live Music with Dave Miller - Sun 10/25, 5:30pm–7:30pm - Free
Food & Drink
Cherokee Ranch & Castle (Sedalia) - Afternoon Tea at the Castle - Thu 10/22, Fri 10/23 and Sat 10/24, 1pm–3pm - $74.95
The Corner Nook (Parker) - Boujee Halloween Cookie Decorating at The Corner Nook - Thu 10/22, 6pm - $50
Village Square Shopping Area (Castle Pines) - Chili Cook Off at Castle Pines Fall Festival - Sat 10/24, 10am–12pm - Free (spectators); $20 chili contest entry
Lone Tree Brewing Company - Hop Zombie Release - Sat 10/24, 11am - Free
Alidade Brewing (Castle Rock) - Beats & Brunch at Alidade Brewing - Sat 10/24, 11am–2pm - Free
Cherokee Ranch & Castle (Sedalia) - Whiskey Tasting: Islay Single Malt Scotch at Cherokee Ranch - Sat 10/24, 6pm–9pm - $86.95
Provision (Castle Rock) - Bruichladdich Vault Experience at Provision - Tue 10/27, 6pm–8pm - $120
Arts & Culture
Lone Tree Arts Center - Always...Patsy Cline - Thu 10/22 and Fri 10/23, 7:30pm; Sat 10/24, 1:30pm and 7:30pm; Sun 10/25, 1:30pm - From $47
Cantril School Building (Castle Rock) - Author Showcase and Book Fair - Fri 10/23, 4:30pm–7:30pm - Free
The Corner Nook (Parker) - A BOO(k)ish Day: Sola Flower Book Class at The Corner Nook - Sat 10/24, 10am and 3pm - $60
The Corner Nook (Parker) - BOO(k)ish Open House: Book Swap & Meet @embakesbooks_ - Sat 10/24, 12pm–3pm - Free
Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co. (Castle Rock) - Thankful Framed Glass Painting at Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co. - Wed 10/28, 6pm–9pm - $50
Rock Canyon High School (Highlands Ranch) - Rock Canyon Theatre Presents: You Can't Take It With You - Wed 10/28, 7pm - $8 students, $10 general admission
Family
Sterling Ranch CAB - Cattle Drive at Sterling Ranch - Sat 10/24, 10am–2pm - Free
Douglas County Libraries - Parker - The Great Pumpkin: A Storybook Holiday - Sat 10/24, 6pm–9pm - $28.52–$33.85
Parker Recreation Center - Floatin' into Fall - Sat 10/24, 9am or 10:30am (two sessions) - $18–$24
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Tara Lane) (Parker) - Newlin Meadows Fall Festival - Tue 10/27, 5pm–8pm - Free
Outdoors
Prairie Sky Park (Lone Tree) - Guided Nature Hike: Hunter's Moon at Prairie Sky Park - Sun 10/25, 5pm–6:30pm - Free
Backcountry Base Camp (Highlands Ranch) - Full Moon Hike at the Backcountry Wilderness Area - Mon 10/26, 7pm–8:30pm - $5
Fitness & Races
Salisbury Regional Park (Parker) - Pumpkin Smash Adult Softball Tournament - Sat 10/24, 8am start, end time determined by number of teams registered - $300 per team
Markets
Highlands Ranch Senior Center - Fall Craft Fair at the Highlands Ranch Senior Center - Sat 10/24, 10am–3pm - Free
SECOR Cares (Parker) - SECOR Cares Holiday Craft Fair - Sat 10/24, 12pm–3pm - Free (suggested donation $5 or 2 cans of food)
Downtown Parker - Parker Farmers Market - Sun 10/25, 8am–1pm - Free
Highlands Ranch Town Center (Highlands Ranch) - Highlands Ranch Farmers' Market - Sun 10/25, 10am–2pm - Free
Community
Purgatory Cellars Winery (Parker) - Mahjong Guided Play at Purgatory Cellars - Thu 10/22, 5:30pm–7:30pm and Sun 10/25, 2pm–4pm - $20
Olive Juice Beauty Bar (Highlands Ranch) - We're All Mad Here! Mad About Mahjong! A Tea & Tiles Halloween Soirée - Thu 10/22, 5pm–8pm - $55.20
Goldie Links Permanent Jewelry - Experience Boutique (Castle Rock) - The Autumn Edit - Bites, Bubbly & Yaps for Breast Cancer - Thu 10/22, 6pm–9pm - $55
Books are Awesome (Parker) - Turning Pages, Saving Horses at Books Are Awesome - Fri 10/23, Sat 10/24 and Sun 10/25, 10am–7pm - Free
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center (Castle Rock) - Amazing Art Expo - Fri 10/23 through Sun 10/25, 6pm - Free (VIP $18.24–$34.43)
The Lone Tree Hub - Dougnad Community Volunteer Day - Sat 10/24, 8:30am - Free
There's live music somewhere in the county most nights of the week. The standing list lives at dougcosocial.com/live-music.
Trivia, bingo and game nights, sorted by day: dougcosocial.com/trivia.
Looking for more? Every Douglas County event we track lives on our events calendar: dougcosocial.com/events
Glass Painting at Wild Blue Yonder
Wednesday, October 28, 6pm to 9pm. Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co. in Castle Rock.
Emma is running her Thankful Framed glass painting class there. You trace a pre-made design onto an 8.5x11 piece of glass, then add color with paint markers and acrylic paint before it goes into a black frame, with your choice of scrapbook paper background. No experience needed, and all the materials plus an apron are included.
Hometown Headlines
Castle Rock's first Dunkin' opens this week
TLDR: Castle Rock's first Dunkin', at 1185 Aloha St. in Founders Marketplace, soft-opens Thursday, Oct. 22, and Friday, Oct. 23, starting at 7am, with a grand opening celebration Saturday, Oct. 24, from 8 to 10am. The first 100 people in line get free coffee for 100 days.
I-25 is closing overnight twice next week for the Lone Tree pedestrian bridge
TLDR: CDOT has full overnight closures planned on I-25 at the Lincoln Avenue interchange for Monday, Oct. 26, and Thursday, Oct. 29, to install the pedestrian bridge connecting the new Lone Tree Mobility Hub's two transit stops. Plan for detours if you're driving through late.
A new pizza spot is coming to the Outlets at Castle Rock
TLDR: Peak Pizza is setting up in Suite 660 at the Outlets at Castle Rock and has applied for a beer and wine license at the address, per a public notice posted at the Outlets office.
Parker's Public Art Commission has an open seat
TLDR: The Town is recruiting a new member for the Parker Public Art Commission, which advises on public art sites and selection panels; applications (a letter plus resume or bio) are due Nov. 6, with the two-year term starting January 2027.
Highlands Ranch's 2027 budget is up for public review
TLDR: The Highlands Ranch Metro District's proposed 2027 budget is open for review, with a public hearing set for 6pm Tuesday, Nov. 24, before the Board of Directors adopts it Dec. 9.
Life Time's new Castle Pines club has an opening date
TLDR: The club at 7373 Canyon Forge Drive, with more than 102,000 square feet of athletic amenities, is set to open Wednesday, Nov. 18, with indoor and outdoor pickleball, a Kids Academy, hydrotherapy suites and luxurious pools.
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