Hope you got to see the light show last night! It started sprinkling on us at the after-party bar for our DougCo Social dinner event last night. Pretty cool watching all the lightning on the drive home.

As mentioned last week, Emagine is opening up at the old AMC space in Parker on July 1st, the chain's first Colorado location. I will be checking it out and will be sure to circle back on what it looks like. It's supposed to have gone through a major overhaul and provide a very luxurious experience. Very excited to go try it out.

And since Parker doesn't have enough new developments and certainly not enough coffee shops, Black Rock Coffee is opening up another location at 6940 Stroh Rd on Monday, June 29.

Can't imagine you haven't heard by now that America is turning 250 and Colorado is turning 150, and the county is leaning all the way in. Here is the high-level rundown of what each town is doing. Full schedules, viewing maps, and parking live on our DougCo Fourth of July guide.

Castle Rock
The Town's celebration runs from 5:30 to 9:30pm at Festival Park downtown, with live music, food trucks, face painting, family activities, and the return of the hometown Pie Bake-Off. The professional fireworks launch around 9:30pm from Miller's Landing and are visible up to three miles away. Early risers can burn off the pie first at the 6th Annual Rock-It Run at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, and over in The Meadows there is a family bike-and-wagon parade at Bison Park around midday. Full lineup and viewing spots: Castle Rock Fourth of July.

Lone Tree
Lone Tree makes a full day of it at Prairie Sky Park. The Family Fun Ride and Stroll kicks off at 9am, the Family Fun Park runs 10am to 1pm (registration required), and Party in the Park opens at 6pm. Colorado's own Sophia Scott headlines at 8pm, with fireworks at 9:30pm, extended this year for America's 250th and Colorado's 150th, visible from Prairie Sky Park and other spots around town. Schedule, parking, shuttle, and where to watch: Lone Tree Fourth of July.

Parker
Parker's celebration is a fireworks-only remote-viewing show, and the Town says it will be its biggest yet, tied to America's 250th, Colorado's 150th, and Parker's 45th birthday. It launches around 9:30pm from near Salisbury Park and is visible up to two miles away. Town-recommended spots include Bar CCC Park, McCabe Meadows, Stroh Soccer Field, and Tallman Meadow Park. Note there is no parking along Parker Road, Hess Road, or Mainstreet. Viewing map and weather updates: Parker Fourth of July.

Highlands Ranch
Heads up: Highlands Ranch is not doing fireworks this year (the HRCA and the county canceled the show back in May over fire concerns, and it stands even though restrictions have since lifted). The rest of the celebration is still on. The Star-Spangled Birthday Bash concert runs Thursday July 2 from 6 to 9pm at Highland Heritage Regional Park, and on the 4th the HRCA Independence Day 5K starts at 7:30am, followed by the parade along Highlands Ranch Parkway at 8:45am. More: Highlands Ranch Fourth of July.

Castle Pines
Castle Pines is not hosting its own event this year, but the Castle Rock show is easy to catch from the city's higher streets and open spaces. Where to watch nearby: our DougCo guide.

Sterling Ranch
Sterling Ranch goes all day with its Stars and Stripes Celebration. A bike parade starts at 9am from the Overlook Clubhouse, followed by a USA 250 / Colorado 150 community aerial photo at Providence Park at 10am. The afternoon shifts to Prospect Park from 4 to 7pm with food trucks and a concert from That Eighties Band, and the night caps off with a fireworks show at 9:30pm (the watch area is west of the pickleball courts).

Doing your own?
As of now there are no fire restrictions in Douglas County (the county lifted them June 2 after the spring rain), so backyard celebrations are a go. That can change fast in a dry summer, so it is worth a check before you light. And the rules for personal fireworks vary by town, so know your limits. In Castle Rock, for example, only ground-based fireworks are legal, and only on July 4 between 8am and 10pm.

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Music & Concerts
Pines Bar and Grill - Open Mic Night - Thu 6/25, 6:00pm–9:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Jeffrey Alan Band on the Patio - Thu 6/25, 6:00pm–10:00pm
Studio@Mainstreet - Billy D'vette at The Studio - Thu 6/25, 6:00pm–8:30pm
Discovery Park - Discovery Park Summer Concert: Boogie Machine - Thu 6/25, 6:30pm–8:00pm
Highland Heritage Regional Park - HRCA Summer Concert Series: Northwoods Band - Thu 6/25, 6:30pm–8:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Sarah P and the Haypullers on the Patio - Thu 6/25 7:30pm, Sat 6/27 12:00pm
Philip S. Miller Park Amphitheater - Summer Concert Series: The Marshall Tucker Band with Ben Chapman - Fri 6/26, 6:00pm–10:00pm - $35+
Lone Tree Golf Club & Hotel - Music on the Patio: 5 Minutes Late at Lone Tree Golf Club - Fri 6/26, 6:00pm–9:00pm
Pines Bar and Grill - Blue Moon Band at Pines Bar and Grill - Fri 6/26, 6:00pm–9:00pm
The Stagecoach Saloon - Sarah P and The Hay Pullers - Fri 6/26, 6:30pm–10:30pm
Wide Open Saloon - Whiskey Road - Fri 6/26, 7:00pm–10:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - My Blue Sky on the Patio - Fri 6/26, 7:00pm–11:00pm
Max Taps Co. - Dueling Pianos at Max Taps - Fri 6/26, 7:00pm–9:00pm
Studio@Mainstreet - Buck Sergeant at The Studio - Fri 6/26, 7:00pm–11:00pm
Takoda Tavern - Time Warp Live at Takoda Tavern - Fri 6/26, 7:30pm–11:30pm
Lone Tree Arts Center - Tunes on the Terrace: New Orleans Suspects at LTAC - Fri 6/26, 7:30pm–9:30pm - $40-$45
Sinners & Saints - Rented Tuxedo - Live at the Altar - Fri 6/26, 8:00pm–10:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Mile Hi Groove on the Inside Stage - Fri 6/26 8:30pm, Sat 6/27 8:30pm
Wide Open Saloon - Saturday Acoustic Show at Wide Open Saloon - Sat 6/27, 2:00pm–5:00pm
Outlets at Castle Rock - Rock the Mountain: Blue Moon Band at Outlets - Sat 6/27, 3:00pm–6:00pm
Pines Bar and Grill - Live Band at Pines Bar and Grill - Sat 6/27, 6:00pm–9:00pm
105 West Brewing Company - 80's Summer Party at 105 West Brewing - Sat 6/27, 6:00pm–10:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - The Long Run on the Patio - Sat 6/27, 7:00pm–11:00pm
Takoda Tavern - Aged and Confused Live at Takoda Tavern - Sat 6/27, 7:30pm–11:30pm
Wide Open Saloon - Aces and Eights Live at Wide Open Saloon - Sat 6/27, 8:00pm–11:00pm
Studio@Mainstreet - Overnight Ugly at The Studio - Sat 6/27, 8:00pm–11:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Andre LaMotte on the Patio at Tailgate Tavern - Sun 6/28, 9:00am–12:00pm
Takoda Tavern - Hot Boots Duo on the Upper Patio at Takoda Tavern - Sun 6/28, 12:00pm–4:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - JC Jonathan Cernan on the Patio - Sun 6/28, 12:00pm–4:00pm
Studio@Mainstreet - Pam & Kerry at The Studio - Sun 6/28, 1:00pm–4:00pm
105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: Jack Yoder at 105 West Brewing - Sun 6/28, 2:30pm–5:30pm
Outlets at Castle Rock - Rock the Mountain: Joseph Gacioch at Outlets - Sun 6/28, 3:00pm–6:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Red Rock Vixens on the Patio - Sun 6/28, 5:00pm–9:00pm
Savina's Mexican Kitchen - Savina's Castle Rock Summer Concert Series - Wed 7/1, 6:00pm–9:00pm
Festival Park - Jazz in the Park - Wed 7/1, 6:30pm–8:00pm

Food & Drink
Max Taps Co. - Tap Takeover: New Belgium Brewery at Max Taps - Thu 6/25, 6:00pm–8:00pm
Downtown Parker (check in at Parker Chamber Office, 19751 E. Mainstreet) - Parker Wine Walk — June 2026 - Fri 6/26, 4:30pm–7:30pm - $25-$30
Philip S. Miller Park Amphitheater - Castle Rock Chamber Sip & Savor - Sat 6/27, 5:00pm–8:00pm - $50-$90
Bar Hummingbird - Castle Rock - Bubbles & Beats Sunday Brunch at Bar Hummingbird - Sun 6/28, 11:00am–3:00pm

Arts & Culture
COFF33 - Battle of the Brushes - Fri 6/26, 7:00pm–9:00pm - $23.18
PACE Center - All Shook Up - Fri 6/26 7:30pm, Sat 6/27 2:00pm, Sun 6/28 2:00pm - $40-$45
Douglas County Libraries - Castle Rock - DCL Presents: Mary R. Lanni — Using Nursery Rhymes with Today's Kids - Sun 6/28, 2:00pm–3:30pm

Nightlife & Entertainment
The Parker Hotel - Lucky Girl Night Out at The Upper Deck - Sat 6/27, 4:00pm–7:00pm - $25
Wide Open Saloon - Sparta Presents: SCL 110 Fight Night at Wide Open Saloon - Sat 6/27, 6:00pm–11:00pm - $55-$125
Honnibrook Craft Meadery - Mead & Magic: The Return at Honnibrook - Sat 6/27, 7:00pm–9:00pm
Max Taps Co. - Free Comedy Show at Max Taps - Sat 6/27, 7:30pm–9:30pm
Lone Tree Arts Center - Best of Denver Stand-Up Comedy at Lone Tree Arts Center - Sat 6/27, 8:00pm–10:00pm - $36
Wide Awake Eatery - Sip & Spin Sundays at Wide Awake Eatery - Sun 6/28, 2:00pm–5:00pm
Alidade Brewing - Puzzle Competition at Alidade Brewing - Mon 6/29, 6:00pm–8:00pm - $50
Sinners & Saints - Summer Connections: Speed Dating Night at Sinners & Saints (Ages 38-50) - Wed 7/1, 6:30pm–8:30pm - $28.52
Takoda Tavern - Open Mic Night at Takoda Tavern - Wed 7/1, 7:00pm–10:00pm

Family
Sterling Ranch CAB - Splash Bash at Sterling Ranch - Sat 6/27, 12:00pm–3:00pm
Backcountry Base Camp - Backcountry Outdoor Movie: The Sandlot - Sat 6/27, 8:00pm–10:00pm - $30
KB Ranch - Story Time on the Farm at KB Ranch - Tue 6/30, 11:30am–12:30pm - $7.18

Fitness & Wellness
Civic Green Park - Free Yoga in the Park at Civic Green - Sat 6/27, 8:00am–9:00am
Rock Solid Fitness & Wellness Club - Castle Pines - Rock Solid x Sports Research - Sat 6/27, 8:00am–10:00am
The Ridge at Castle Pines North - Yoga & Abeille at The Ridge - Sat 6/27, 8:30am–11:00am - $44.52+
Lost Coffee - Lost Runners Run Club with RNK Running - Sun 6/28, 8:00am–9:30am
Philip S. Miller Park Amphitheater - Yoga in the Park at Philip S. Miller Amphitheater - Sun 6/28, 8:30am–9:30am
Festival Park - Monday Evening Yoga in the Park at Festival Park - Mon 6/29, 6:30pm–7:30pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Hike: Cherokee Setting of the Sun and Rising of the Full Moon - Mon 6/29, 7:15pm - $40
Belvedere Park - Yoga in the Park at Belvedere Park (June) - Tue 6/30, 6:30pm–7:30pm

Markets & Shopping
105 West Brewing Company - Books & Brews: Teeny Tiny Bookshop Pop-Up at 105 West - Sat 6/27, 12:00pm–4:00pm

Festivals & Fairs
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - RMV Freedom Festival 2026 - Fri 6/26 10:00am, Sat 6/27 10:00am - $125+ / $95+
Colorado Renaissance Festival Site - Colorado Renaissance Festival — Celtic Weekend - Sat 6/27, 10:00am–6:30pm - $32+

Outdoor & Adventure
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Petrified Wood Hike at Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Sat 6/27, 8:30am - $39.50
Backcountry Base Camp - Backcountry Nature Night Out - Sat 6/27, 5:30pm–7:30pm - $15

Community
Parker Public Works Operations Center - Town of Parker Blood Drive - Thu 6/25, 10:00am–2:00pm
Larkspur Community Park - Larkspur Music in the Park — WireWood Station (Country) - Fri 6/26, 6:00pm–8:00pm
Schweiger Ranch - Schweiger Ranch Campfire Storytelling: Buffalo Soldiers - Fri 6/26, 6:30pm–7:30pm
Sterling Ranch CAB - TV Game Show Night at Sterling Ranch - Fri 6/26, 7:00pm–9:00pm
Alidade Brewing - From the Ashes: Hideaway Bar & Grill Benefit - Sat 6/27, 3:00pm–6:00pm
Schweiger Ranch - Schweiger Ranch Natural Heritage Walking Tour: Full Moon with Bats (June) - Sat 6/27, 7:30pm–9:00pm
Festival Park - Castle Rock Ducky Derby - Sun 6/28, 9:00am–3:00pm - $10-$20
Olive Juice Beauty Bar - Mind, Body + Menopause - Sun 6/28, 3:00pm–5:00pm
Elk Ridge Park - Castle Pines Summer Concert Series — That Eighties Band - Sun 6/28, 6:00pm–8:30pm
Central Park - Red, White & BODYBAR Pilates in the Park - Wed 7/1, 7:00pm–8:30pm

On the Horizon
Colorado Renaissance Festival Site - Colorado Renaissance Festival - Sat 7/4 10:00am, Sat 7/11 10:00am, Sat 7/18 10:00am, Sat 7/25 10:00am - $32+
Philip S. Miller Park Amphitheater - Raptors Over the Rock - Tue 7/7, 6:00pm–7:30pm
Festival Park - Poundcake Pop-Up - Thu 7/9, 10:00am–1:00pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Groove 'N Motion (Powered by The Rocky Mountain Horns) - Fri 7/10 - $86.45
Lone Tree Arts Center - Tunes on the Terrace: Chicken Wire Empire at LTAC - Fri 7/10, 7:30pm–9:30pm - $40-$45
Festival Park - Pedal the Moon - Sat 7/11, 6:30pm–10:00pm - $16-$20
KB Ranch - Bovine and Crime: The Summer Farm Tour - Sat 7/11, 7:00pm–9:00pm - $80

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Douglas County passes new rules for low-powered scooters and off-highway vehicles
TLDR: The Commissioners voted June 23 to approve an ordinance regulating low-powered scooters and off-highway vehicles (ATVs, dirt bikes, and the like) on public roads, trails, and other public property in unincorporated Douglas County, following two readings and more than 200 public comments, most in support. Unlawful operation now carries fines from $250 up to $1,000 (with a $75 to $250 fine for riders under 18 without a DOT-approved helmet), low-powered scooters require a licensed driver, registration, and insurance, and the Sheriff's Office can impound vehicles. It does not apply to regular e-bikes or low-speed e-scooters, and it took effect immediately.

UCHealth opens a 340,000-square-foot expansion at Highlands Ranch Hospital
TLDR: UCHealth has completed a 340,000-square-foot expansion of UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital, opening as Colorado braces for a projected physician shortage by 2030. The addition includes a new five-story tower, a cancer center with a state-of-the-art linear accelerator, expanded stroke and cardiac programs, and 14 emergency beds. Construction began in the summer of 2023.

Heads up: no July 4 fireworks in Highlands Ranch this year
TLDR: If you are planning your Fourth in Highlands Ranch, note there will be no fireworks show this year. The Highlands Ranch Community Association and Douglas County canceled it back on May 14 over drought and fire concerns, and even after the Sheriff's Office lifted fire restrictions for unincorporated Douglas County on June 2, the decision stands. HRCA CEO Mike Bailey said the community declined the show "out of an abundance of safety." The rest of the celebration is still on: the Star-Spangled Birthday Bash concert on July 2 (6pm at Highland Heritage Regional Park), plus the Independence Day 5K and the parade on the morning of July 4. Nearby Castle Rock, Parker, and Lone Tree still plan their own fireworks, weather permitting.

A revived Bed Bath & Beyond and Container Store combo store opens at Park Meadows
TLDR: Park Meadows in Lone Tree is one of 22 locations nationwide in the first wave of new co-branded Bed Bath & Beyond + The Container Store shops, now open. Both brands filed for bankruptcy in 2023; parent company Beyond (which relaunched Bed Bath & Beyond online) acquired The Container Store and is merging the two into a single home-goods concept. It is the first Colorado location of the combined store.

Douglas County approves a $4.2M Helitack hangar to strengthen wildfire response
TLDR: At their June 23 meeting, the Douglas County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a $4.2 million contract with TCC Corporation to build a dedicated Helitack hangar for the county's aerial firefighting program. The hangar will give Douglas County's Helitack helicopter and firefighting crew a permanent, all-weather home so those resources stay protected and ready to deploy. It is the first phase of a larger Regional Joint Public Safety Training Center. Construction is expected to start later this year, with completion anticipated in 2027.

Douglas County is in line for nearly $6 million for four local infrastructure projects
TLDR: Four Douglas County infrastructure projects are set to receive nearly $6 million in federal funding, part of a set of FY27 appropriations bills that cleared the House Appropriations Committee (the funding is still working its way through the federal process). The projects: $2 million for ramp improvements at the Quebec Street and C-470 interchange in Highlands Ranch, a ramp that carries more than 3 million vehicles a year; $1.5 million to help rebuild the aging I-25 and Happy Canyon Road interchange in Castle Pines; $1.5 million toward right-of-way for widening the last stretch of US 85 between Sedalia and Meadows Parkway; and $850,000 for the first phase of a wastewater collection line that would bring sewer service to Sedalia.

A petition seeks to grow Douglas County's commissioners from three to five
TLDR: A citizen-led group is gathering signatures to put a question on the November ballot asking Douglas County voters whether to expand the Board of County Commissioners from three seats to five. Organizers, who describe the effort as bipartisan, argue a county of nearly 400,000 residents needs more representation; they need 15,046 valid signatures by August 1 and say they have roughly 5,000 so far. If it reaches the ballot, voters would also choose how the five would be elected (five districts, or three districts plus two at-large). More at 3to5dougco.com.

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