Well, I will likely be pigging out at Egg Harbor’s soft opening as you read this. If you don’t remember, Egg Harbor, the breakfast, brunch and lunch spot that’s family-owned and operated out of Chicago, laid down roots in Highlands Ranch in March, and they didn’t waste any time doubling down. Their second Colorado spot opens tomorrow (Fri, Nov 6) in the Vectra building at Belleview Station, for all the DTC commuters out there, and I think they may be scouting more locations in Douglas County. They’ll be advertising in next week’s newsletter, and they aren’t coming empty-handed: we’ll have a gift card to give away (another one on IG) and a reader discount, so be on the lookout.
Follow-up on last week’s Pilates poll:
Where are you with Pilates?
I’m hooked, I go every week: 30%
Tried it, still deciding: 17%
Never tried it, but curious: 39%
Not for me: 14%
Next one (last one of the year?): Thursday, November 19. Downtown Castle Rock.
Dinner Club is the one where you show up at 6:30pm and sit down with five neighbors you’ve never met. We do the matching and book the restaurant, and it gets revealed the morning of. You order off the menu and pay for your own food and drinks. After dinner, every table heads to the after-party.
Grab a seat here and use code CR5 for $5 off.
55+ couple? We’re also hosting a Couples Dinner the same night at Canyon House in Castle Pines, starting at 6pm. Grab your spot here and use code CP10 for $10 off.
November Month-Ahead
The holiday season kicks off across the county this month. Here’s what’s on, town by town.
Castle Rock
Fireworks over the star at a past Starlighting. Photo: Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce
Sat Nov 7: 34th Annual Castle Rock Craft Show Extraordinaire, 9am to 4pm, Douglas County Fairgrounds, free.
Wed Nov 11: Castle Rock Veterans Day Fireworks Show, 7pm, Philip S. Miller Park, free.
Sat Nov 14: Tree Lighting Celebration, 4pm to 7pm, the Outlets at Castle Rock, free, with Colorado’s tallest Christmas tree, a drone show and live music.
Sat Nov 21: Castle Rock Starlighting 2026, 2pm to 6pm, Historic Wilcox Square and Festival Park, free, with the ceremony at 5pm and fireworks after.
Thu Nov 26: 22nd Annual Turkey ROCK Trot, 8:30am Kids Dash, 9am 5K, Douglas County Event Center, free Kids Dash, $40 to $50 for the 5K.
Highlands Ranch
Turkey costumes at a past Turkey Day 5K (TD5K). Photo: TD5K
Mon Nov 9: Veterans Concert at the Highlands Ranch Mansion, 6:30pm to 8pm, the Highlands Ranch Mansion, $30 ($33.37 with fees).
Thu Nov 12, Fri Nov 13, Thu Nov 19 and Fri Nov 20: Elf the Musical Jr., 6:30pm, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, $15 to $20.
Sat Nov 14: Holiday Gift Fair, 9am to 5pm, Eastridge Recreation Center, free.
Fri Nov 20 to Sun Nov 22: Nutcracker Highlights, Fri 6pm, Sat 3pm and 6pm, Sun 3pm, Southridge Recreation Center, $15 ($17.42 with fees), a one-hour show.
Thu Nov 26: Turkey Day 5K (TD5K), 9am, Canvas Credit Union Stadium at Highlands Ranch (Shea Stadium), $44 adults/$28 kids 6-12 through Nov 5 (rises after).
Parker
The Mayor’s Holiday Lighting at O’Brien Park. Photo: Town of Parker
Sat Nov 7: John McEuen & The Circle Band: Will The Circle Be Unbroken, 7:30pm, the PACE Center, $49 to $54.
Tue Nov 10: 10th Annual Turkeys for Our Troops, 3:30pm to 6:30pm, Tailgate Tavern, donations welcome.
Wed Nov 11: Parker Veterans Day Fireworks Show, 7pm, Salisbury Regional Park, free.
Sat Nov 14: Legend High School Art & Craft Fair, 9am to 3pm, Legend High School, free.
Thu Nov 19 through Tue Nov 24: Nutcracker of Parker, presented by Colorado School of Dance, multiple showtimes, the PACE Center, $36 to $44.
Fri Nov 27: Mayor’s Holiday Lighting, 5pm to 7pm, O’Brien Park, free.
Fri Nov 27: the Parker Ice Trail opens for the season at Discovery Park, 11am to 9pm opening weekend, $8 to $11 (skate rental $4).
Sat Nov 28: Hometown Holiday Experience Weekend, Saturdays and Sundays, downtown, free, through Jan 2.
Lone Tree
Thu Nov 5: Swan Lake: Symphony of Lights, 7pm, Lone Tree Arts Center, $45 to $65.
Fri Nov 6: Symphony of the Rockies: America at 250, 7:30pm, Lone Tree Arts Center, $16 to $56.
Sat Nov 7: Santa’s Magical Arrival, 5pm, Cabela’s, free.
Sat Nov 14: Shop the Block, 11am to 3pm, Lone Tree Brewing, free, with a food drive for the local food bank.
Thu Nov 26: Schweiger Ranch Holiday Display of Lights, starting that evening, Schweiger Ranch, free, viewable from the parking lot through Jan 24.
Castle Pines
Sat Nov 7 through Sat Nov 14: The Canyons of Heroes, all day, The Green at The Canyons, free to view, $50 to dedicate a flag.
Fri Nov 20: Pink Friday at The White Antler, all day, The White Antler, free.
Sterling Ranch
Fri Nov 20: Turkey Day Trauma Murder Mystery Party, 6:30pm to 9pm, Sterling Ranch, $37, 21 and up, register by Nov 18 (40 spots).
Sat Nov 28: Tree Lighting, 5pm to 7pm, Sterling Center, free, with the tree lighting up at 6pm.
Full calendar, every week, at dougcosocial.com/events, and the holiday roundup lives at dougcosocial.com/holiday-events-douglas-county.
Glass Painting at Lone Tree Brewing
Sunday, November 8, 12pm to 3pm. Lone Tree Brewing Company in Lone Tree.
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.
Help Wanted
Local jobs and opportunities across Douglas County.
If you’re hiring, reach out at [email protected] for a free posting.
Saddle Up
Top Events This Week
Thu 11/5 - Artistic Space Productions Presents Swan Lake: Symphony of Lights, Lone Tree Arts Center/Lone Tree - 7pm - $45–$65
Fri 11/6 - Live Music: OMR, Max Taps/Highlands Ranch - 6pm–9pm
Fri 11/6 - Symphony of the Rockies Presents: America at 250, Lone Tree Arts Center/Lone Tree - 7:30pm - $16–$56
Sat 11/7 - 34th Annual Castle Rock Craft Show Extraordinaire, Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center/Castle Rock - 9am–4pm - Free
Sat 11/7 - John McEuen & The Circle Band: Will The Circle Be Unbroken, PACE Center/Parker - 7:30pm–9:30pm - $49–$54
Sun 11/8 - Tinsel & Trouble Bad Moms of Parker Holiday Market, Pikes Peak Event Center/Parker - 11am–3pm
Veterans Day
Veterans Monument Plaza (Castle Rock) - Veterans Day Tribute - Sat 11/7, 11:00am–12:00pm - Free
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center (Castle Rock) - Heroes Hall Groundbreaking and World Trade Center Steel Dedication - Sat 11/7, 1:00pm - Free
The Green at The Canyons (Castle Pines) - The Canyons of Heroes Veterans Day Flag Tribute - Sat 11/7 - Free
Highlands Ranch Mansion (Highlands Ranch) - Veterans Concert at the Highlands Ranch Mansion - Mon 11/9, 6:30pm–8:00pm - $30 ($33.37 with fees)
Tailgate Tavern & Grill (Parker) - 10th Annual Turkeys for Our Troops - Tue 11/10, 3:30pm–6:30pm - Free
Sterling Ranch CAB (Sterling Ranch) - Veterans Day Coffee - Wed 11/11, 7:30am–9:00am - Free
Cherokee Ranch & Castle (Sedalia) - Veterans Day Tour - Wed 11/11, 10:00am–11:30am - Free for veterans, $22 for others
Douglas County Libraries - Highlands Ranch (Highlands Ranch) - Highlands Ranch Veterans Day Celebration - Wed 11/11, 6:30pm–8:00pm
Salisbury Regional Park (Parker) - Parker Veterans Day Fireworks Show - Wed 11/11, 7:00pm - Free
Philip S. Miller Park (Castle Rock) - Castle Rock Veterans Day Fireworks Show - Wed 11/11, 7:00pm - Free
Music & Concerts
Studio@Mainstreet (Parker) - Tyler Griffith at The Studio - Thu 11/5, 6:00pm–11:00pm - Free
Tailgate Tavern & Grill (Parker) - Duey & Unbroken - Thu 11/5, 7:30pm–11:30pm - Free
The Groove at Lyric (Lone Tree) - Friday Night Live Featuring Mike Masse - Fri 11/6, 5:00pm–8:00pm - Free
Honnibrook Craft Meadery (Castle Rock) - Josh Blackburn: Live In Castle Rock - Fri 11/6, 6:00pm–9:00pm - Free
Lone Tree Brewing Company - Parker (Parker) - Live Music with Brad Hennig at Lone Tree Brewing Parker - Fri 11/6, 6:00pm–9:00pm - Free
The Stagecoach Saloon (Franktown) - Walker Williams Live at Stagecoach Saloon - Fri 11/6, 6:30pm–10:30pm - Free
Wide Open Saloon (Sedalia) - Ashlee and the Longshot Revival at Wide Open Saloon - Fri 11/6, 7:00pm–10:30pm - Free
Studio@Mainstreet (Parker) - Eric Golden at The Studio - Fri 11/6, 7:30pm–11:00pm - Free
Takoda Tavern (Parker) - These Guys on stage! - Fri 11/6, 7:30pm–11:30pm - Free
Sinners & Saints (Castle Rock) - Live Music at the Altar: Tyler Stanfield - Fri 11/6, 8:00pm–10:00pm - Free
Tailgate Tavern & Grill (Parker) - The Grind - 5280 at Tailgate Tavern - Fri 11/6, 8:30pm–12:30am - Free
105 West Brewing Company (Castle Rock) - Live Music: Six Bucks and a Flight at 105 West - Sat 11/7, 6:30pm–9:30pm - Free
The Stagecoach Saloon (Franktown) - Aces & 8’s Band at The Stagecoach Saloon - Sat 11/7, 6:30pm–10:30pm - Free
The Whiskey Lodge (Castle Rock) - Saturday Live Music at The Whiskey Lodge - Sat 11/7, 7:00pm - Free
Takoda Tavern (Parker) - Thread Barons at Takoda! - Sat 11/7, 7:30pm–11:30pm - Free
Studio@Mainstreet (Parker) - Midlife Crisis at The Studio - Sat 11/7, 8:00pm–11:00pm - Free
Tailgate Tavern & Grill (Parker) - The Grind - 5280 at Tailgate Tavern - Sat 11/7, 8:30pm–12:30am - Free
Sinners & Saints (Castle Rock) - Live DJ in the Lounge with ‘DJ Max’ - Sat 11/7, 9:00pm–12:00am - Free
Studio@Mainstreet (Parker) - Twos Company at The Studio - Sun 11/8, 1:00pm–4:00pm - Free
Max Taps Co. (Highlands Ranch) - Live Music: Harmony Straights Band - Sun 11/8, 2:00pm–5:00pm
Arts & Culture
Performing Arts Academy (Highlands Ranch) - Into the Woods - Thu 11/5 through Sat 11/7, 6:30pm nightly plus a 2pm Sat matinee - $15–$20
Lone Tree Arts Center (Lone Tree) - Phamaly Theatre Company presents Pericles: An Adaptive Performance for People with Cognitive Disabilities - Thu 11/5
Lone Tree Brewing Company (Lone Tree) - Thankful Framed Glass Painting at Lone Tree Brewing Co. - Sun 11/8, 12:00pm–3:00pm - $65.87
Sinners & Saints (Castle Rock) - The Boozy Book Fair: Castle Rock Edition - Sun 11/8, 2:00pm–6:00pm - $12.51
Douglas County Libraries - Philip S. Miller Library (Castle Rock) - Know Thy Shelf - Book Club - Mon 11/9, 6:00pm–7:30pm - Free
Family
Harmony Equine Center (Franktown) - Tales for Tails: Reading to Horses - Sat 11/7, 10:00am–11:00am - $15
Cherokee Ranch & Castle (Sedalia) - Princess Party at the Castle 2026 - Sun 11/8, 12:00pm–2:00pm - $56.95
PACE Center (Parker) - Science Night at the PACE Center - Sun 11/8, 2:00pm–5:00pm - Free
Outdoors & Fitness
RNK Running and Walking (Castle Rock) - First Saturday Run at RNK Running and Walking - Sat 11/7, 7:30am - Free
Living The Dream Brewing (Highlands Ranch) - Yoga On Tap with Jacqui at Living The Dream - Sat 11/7, 11:00am–12:00pm
RNK Running and Walking (Castle Rock) - Lost Runners Demo Run with HOKA at RNK Castle Rock - Sun 11/8, 8:00am - Free
105 West Brewing Company (Castle Rock) - Trails N’ Ales Mountain Bike Ride at 105 West - Wed 11/11, 6:00pm–7:00pm - Free
Markets
LaLa’s Coffee & Boba (Castle Rock) - Fun with Ferns Houseplant Pop-Up - Sat 11/7, 9:00am–12:00pm - Free
The White Antler Home Decor & Gifts (Castle Pines) - VIETRI Holiday Signing with Christian - Sat 11/7, 12:00pm–4:00pm - Free
Community
Olive Juice Beauty Bar (Highlands Ranch) - O Mahj-Spa League - Thu 11/5, 5:30pm–7:45pm - $90 (3-week series)
Highlands Ranch Senior Center (Highlands Ranch) - Fall Community Open House - Thu 11/5, 5:30pm–7:00pm - Free
The Emporium (Castle Rock) - Holiday Open House @ The E - Fri 11/6, 10:00am–6:00pm - Free
Douglas County Libraries - Philip S. Miller Library (Castle Rock) - Booked for the Holidays - Festive Holiday Houseplants - Sat 11/7, 10:30am–11:30am - Free
Douglas County Library in Parker (Parker) - Ordinary Hope’s Autumn Harvest of Gratitude: A Pumpkin Party! - Sat 11/7
Thrive Cheer Royals, LLC (Castle Rock) - Thrive Cheer Royal Showcase - 2026 - Sat 11/7 - $10-$35
Monk & Mongoose (High Note) (Lone Tree) - Mahjong Guided Open Play with Abeille - Sun 11/8, 12:00pm–3:00pm - $44.52
iFLY Indoor Skydiving - Denver (Lone Tree) - STEM Family Sundays at iFLY Denver! - Sun 11/8
Sinners & Saints (Castle Rock) - Make & Mingle at Sinners & Saints - Tue 11/10, 5:00pm–7:00pm - Free
Magic Manor (Sedalia) - WOW: Women of the Workforce at Magic Manor - Tue 11/10, 6:00pm - From $40
Douglas County Libraries - Philip S. Miller Library (Castle Rock) - Booked for the Holidays - Build a Holiday Village - Wed 11/11, 6:00pm–7:30pm - Free
Nightlife
Alidade Brewing (Castle Rock) - Plant Bingo at Alidade Brewing - Thu 11/5, 6:00pm–8:00pm - $35
Wide Open Saloon (Sedalia) - Thursday Line Dancing at Wide Open Saloon - Thu 11/5, 6:00pm–10:00pm - Free
Studio@Mainstreet (Parker) - Rion Evans Presents Game Show - Sat 11/7, 5:00pm - Free
Pikes Peak Event Center (Parker) - Stand Up Comedy Night with Ben Roy - Sat 11/7, 6:00pm–9:30pm - $25 show only; $60 with dinner
Alidade Brewing (Castle Rock) - Bingo Night! - Sat 11/7, 6:00pm–10:00pm - Free
Pines Bar and Grill (Castle Pines) - Trivia Night at Pines Bar and Grill - Tue 11/10, 6:00pm–8:00pm - Free
Studio@Mainstreet (Parker) - Line Dance Ladies Night at The Studio - Wed 11/11, 6:00pm–9:00pm - Free
Alidade Brewing (Castle Rock) - Music Bingo at Alidade - Wed 11/11, 6:00pm–8:00pm - Free
Pines Bar and Grill (Castle Pines) - Karaoke Night at Pines Bar and Grill - Wed 11/11, 6:00pm–9:00pm - 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.
On the Horizon
Parker Garage (Parker) - Tablas Creek Vineyard Wine Dinner at Parker Garage - Thu 11/12, 6pm - $75 per person (plus tax and gratuity)
Wide Awake Eatery (Castle Rock) - Dinner and Dueling Pianos - Fri 11/13, 5pm–9pm - $60.54
Lone Tree Arts Center (Lone Tree) - Time for Three - Fri 11/13, 7:30pm - $45–$65
Lone Tree Arts Center (Lone Tree) - Ali Stroker at Lone Tree Arts Center - Sat 11/14, 7:30pm - $45–$75
The Spoke at Macanta (Castle Rock) - Macanta Craft Fair - Sun 11/15, 1pm - Free
Looking for more? Every Douglas County event we track lives on our events calendar: dougcosocial.com/events
Hometown Headlines
Laura Cavey is Castle Rock’s Mayor-elect in unofficial results
TLDR: Unofficial results posted by the Town show Laura Cavey as Mayor-elect with 17,358 votes (50.49%), ahead of Amelia Thomas (29.00%) and Stu Butler (20.50%). Matt Smith is the District 3 Councilmember-elect with 43.14% of the vote, and Mitchell Sawin is the District 5 Councilmember-elect with 62.59%. Results are unofficial until certified Nov. 25, and elected Councilmembers will be sworn in at the Dec. 1 regular Council meeting.
Castle Pines voters unofficially approve both annexation ballot questions
TLDR: Unofficial results show Castle Pines voters approved Ballot Question 300 (71.6% yes), which requires voter approval for certain future annexations over 20 acres, and Ballot Question 301 (64.6% yes), which requires voters to confirm certain annexations over 20 acres completed within 180 days before the measure takes effect. Results are unofficial pending Douglas County’s certification.
Douglas County puts $1.45 million toward youth opioid prevention and recovery
TLDR: The Board of County Commissioners approved about $1.45 million in opioid settlement funding for the 2026-2028 cycle, split among five programs: 5280 High School ($428,003) for youth opioid prevention, FullCircle Program ($411,905) for peer recovery support, the Juvenile Assessment Center ($199,963.42) to identify youth risk factors, From Silenced to Saved ($209,000) for trafficked youth with substance dependence, and Sky Ride LLC ($200,000) for transportation to court-mandated and recovery services. The Douglas County Opioid Council ran the competitive application process.
Explore the Zebulon sports complex at a Nov. 10 open house
TLDR: Douglas County is holding a drop-in open house Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 5 to 7pm at the Commissioners’ Hearing Room in the Philip S. Miller Building (100 Third St., Castle Rock) on its planned Zebulon regional sports complex, roughly 46 acres in northern Douglas County. Plans include ice rinks, indoor sports courts, a fitness center, outdoor athletic fields, a four-field baseball complex, and an aquatic center with the county’s first 50-meter competition pool. Site work is underway, with the complex expected to open in late 2028.
Dough Counter opened its second location in Lone Tree
TLDR: Dough Counter, a Sicilian pan pizza and New York-style pizzeria, opened its second location Thursday, Oct. 29, at 10012 Commons St., Suite 106, in Lone Tree (its first is in Denver’s University Hills). It’s run by the family behind Marco’s Coal-Fired Pizza: Mark and Kristy Dym, their children Zack Dym and Samantha Monterosso, and Jaime Avina. The dough goes through a five-day cold rise plus a 24-hour warm proof. Counter service, with online ordering for pickup through Toast; open daily 11am to 9pm.
Children’s Hospital Colorado opens an orthopedic and sports medicine center in Highlands Ranch
TLDR: Children’s Hospital Colorado opened a new Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center at 1060 Plaza Drive in Highlands Ranch this week, bringing orthopedic and sports medicine physicians, therapists and performance specialists into one building. Orthopedic and sports medicine clinics are on the upper level; the lower level has a full-sized gym, basketball court and sports field for training, therapy and rehab. The center consolidates services the hospital previously ran out of its nearby Centennial and South Campus locations and adds a new sports performance program.
Parker plans to widen Dransfeldt Road
TLDR: The Town of Parker is planning to add a continuous second southbound travel lane on Dransfeldt Road between Lincoln Avenue and Pony Express Drive, along with updated signage, markings, signals and drainage work. An open house is set for Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the Parker Fieldhouse (18700 Plaza Drive), 8:30-10am or 5:30-7pm. The project is split into two segments: Lincoln Avenue to Lincoln Meadows Parkway/Parkglenn Way is expected to start construction in 2027, and Lincoln Meadows Parkway to Pony Express Drive in 2029.
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