Alright, summer is clearly here. I'm going to be cutting down on some of the recurring events like trivia and karaoke in the events section because we've got more live music than ever and festivals and fairs coming up all over Douglas County.
On another note, some not-so-great news for an event venue many in Castle Rock love, and one we feature regularly in our sister publication, Castle Rock Crew. More on that below.
How To Be Moar Like Me
A small reset for your day
Castle Rock author Josh Barnhill is publishing How To Be Moar Like Me, a workplace web comic that is a small reset for your day.
You might recognize your meetings, your projects, your mental load, and the small choices that can make the day feel lighter.
In Season 1, Sunshine and Tornadoes, you follow a quirky team at DoMoar Digital as they build an app called EatMoar—and no one even knows what it’s for!
You will recognize the workplace questions that come up: when to tell the truth, how to let go, and how to learn from your coworkers.
Follow along and dive in on Instagram
Two Fires in Two Days at Hideaway Bar & Grill — Here's How to Help the Staff
A note before we get into it. We know we usually don’t cover crime, but Hideaway is an important bar & grill and event venue in Castle Rock and Douglas County. We felt it relevant to include and show support.
Hideaway Bar & Grill at 600 Jerry Street in downtown Castle Rock has been hit by two fires in roughly 28 hours. The first started overnight Monday into Tuesday (May 11–12). The second started early Wednesday morning (May 13) at 3:51am. No one was hurt in either fire.
Castle Rock Fire Chief Norris Croom told 9NEWS that Wednesday's fire was not a rekindle of Tuesday’s — meaning two separate ignition events at the same address, roughly a day apart. Castle Rock Police say a person of interest is in custody on other charges while the investigation continues. Per Becky Stroh's Wednesday Facebook post, there had been no electricity or gas on at the building since the first fire — the second fire started at a property with the utilities already shut off.
I stopped by Wednesday morning around 8:30am, roughly five hours after CRFD's second dispatch. Unsurprisingly, I could still smell the smoke. Two fire engines and another fire truck were on site, scene tape across the front, and a news crew set up on the sidewalk. The front of the building was still standing — roof, dormers, exterior walls intact. Bob Stroh told 9NEWS the rear damage from the second fire “looked structural” and reached the second floor.
Bob and Becky Stroh have run Hideaway for 15 years, and Bob's been in the restaurant business for 40. To 9NEWS after the second fire: “It's just a shock. I can't believe two nights in a row this happened. It almost feels like we're being attacked.”
The 21 staff are out of work without pay. The Strohs’ GoFundMe has a $24,000 goal, distributed directly to staff for rent, groceries, and living expenses. As of Wednesday evening: $15,718 raised from 149 donors — about two-thirds of the goal in under two days. Top contribution: $2,000 from Castle Rock's own Granelli's Pizzeria — one local restaurant stepping in for the staff of another. Becky also posted on the restaurant's Facebook page heading off the most common comment thread before it starts: “Before the insurance payout comments start, we have received NO insurance payments and we have no idea what that will be for any of us. Our staff have bills & living expenses right now & can't wait for whatever may or may not come from insurance.”
Full timeline, on-scene photos, every source we cited — on DougCo Social. We'll keep updating it as the investigation moves.
Donate or share: GoFundMe — Support Restaurant Staff After Fire
Fire investigation updates: Castle Rock Fire & Rescue on Facebook
Restaurant updates: facebook.com/HideawayBarGrill
DougCo Social Dinner Club
Had a great dinner in Lone Tree last night with 60 friends! If you’d like to join us next time, sign up at the below link. Coming to Parker on 5/27.
Our next Couples Dinner (55+) will be in Parker on 5/27 at a to-be-determined restaurant. If you’d like to join us, sign up at the below link. Please note this sign-up is on a separate platform from the Dinner Club above.
Help Wanted
Local jobs and opportunities across Douglas County.
If you’re hiring, reach out at [email protected] for a free posting.
Mod Mountain Boutique
Saddle Up
Music & Concerts
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Jim Hyatt Band (Patio) - Thu 5/14, 6:00pm–10:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Walker Williams Band (Inside Stage) - Thu 5/14, 7:30pm–11:30pm
Lone Tree Arts Center - The Pickin' Wildflowers 20th Anniversary Tour starring Keith Anderson - Thu 5/14, 7:30pm–10:00pm - $38-$50 - tickets
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Sinatra Tribute Show LIVE - Fri 5/15, 6:00pm–9:30pm - $86.80 - tickets
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Bullet the Blue Sky (Patio) - Fri 5/15, 6:00pm–10:00pm
The Stagecoach Saloon - Sarah P and The Hay Pullers - Fri 5/15, 6:30pm–10:30pm
Wide Open Saloon - Rhett Haney - Fri 5/15, 7:00pm–10:30pm
Takoda Tavern - Shelvis and the Roustabouts - Fri 5/15, 7:30pm–11:30pm
Sinners & Saints - Wendy Woo - Live at the Altar - Fri 5/15, 8:00pm–10:00pm
The Studio @ Mainstreet - Buck Sergeant @ The Studio - Fri 5/15, 8:00pm–11:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - The Corporation (Inside Stage) - Fri 5/15, 8:30pm–12:30am
Wide Open Saloon - Saturday Acoustic Set - Sat 5/16, 2:00pm–5:00pm
Max Taps Co. - Live Music - Josh Mattingly - Sat 5/16, 6:00pm
105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: Val Chillmer - Sat 5/16, 6:30pm–9:30pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Saturday Live Music - Sat 5/16, 7:00pm–10:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - One Way to Rock - Sat 5/16, 7:00pm–10:30pm
Takoda Tavern - Jewel & The Rough - Sat 5/16, 7:30pm–11:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Stone Beat Invasion (Patio) - Sat 5/16, 7:45pm–10:00pm
The Studio @ Mainstreet - Delta Sonics @ The Studio - Sat 5/16, 8:00pm–11:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - The Corporation (Inside Stage) - Sat 5/16, 8:30pm–12:30am
The Studio @ Mainstreet - Twos Company @ The Studio - Sun 5/17, 1:00pm–4:00pm
105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: Chuck Grossman - Sun 5/17, 2:30pm–5:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Buck Sergeant (Patio) - Sun 5/17, 5:00pm–9:00pm
Takoda Tavern - Open Mic Night with Anthony Russo & The Takoda Boys - Wed 5/20, 7:00pm–10:00pm
Food & Drink
The Whiskey Lodge - Crawfish Boil at Whiskey Lodge - Sat 5/16, 11:00am–9:00pm - $20/lb - tickets
Arts & Culture
PACE Center - Shaun Johnson: Big Kid Stand Up Tour - Fri 5/15, 7:30pm - $35 - tickets
Teaology Tea Cafe - Watercolor Classes with Raelene - Sun 5/17, 1:00pm–3:00pm - $42 - tickets
PACE Center - 360 ALLSTARS - Sun 5/17, 6:30pm - $49-$59 - tickets
Nightlife & Entertainment
The Studio @ Mainstreet - RION EVANS Comedy Night - Sat 5/16, 6:00pm–7:30pm - $15.18 - tickets
Family
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Princess Party at the Castle 2026 (Currently Sold Out) - Sun 5/17, 1:30pm–3:30pm - $52.95 - tickets
Fitness & Wellness
Teaology Tea Cafe - Yoga with Karen - Sat 5/16, 9:30am–10:30am - $25 - tickets
Festivals & Fairs
Festival Park - Summer Kickoff Concert - Sat 5/16, 5:00pm–10:00pm
Community
Lone Tree Arts Center - SPARK! Armchair Travel — Splendid Spain - Thu 5/14, 1:30pm
Sinners & Saints - Murder at Gatsby's Gala — Fundraiser - Thu 5/14, 6:00pm–9:30pm - $35+ - tickets
Lone Tree Arts Center - Tablao Flamenco - Fri 5/15, 7:30pm–9:30pm - $35-$45 - tickets
HRCA Gym - Clear the Clutter - Sat 5/16
Lone Tree Arts Center - Passport to Culture: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance - Sun 5/17, 1:30pm–3:30pm - $9 - tickets
Lone Tree Arts Center - Sensory Inclusive: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance - Sun 5/17, 4:00pm–5:30pm - $9 - tickets
Lone Tree Arts Center - Walking As Performative Movement: A Gentle Movement Workshop for People with Parkinson's - Mon 5/18, 10:30am–12:00pm - tickets
On the Horizon
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Rhett Haney (Patio) - Thu 5/21, 6:00pm–10:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Jason Wulf Band (Inside Stage) - Thu 5/21, 7:30pm–11:30pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Murder & Mystery: Live and Let Die! (Currently Sold Out) - Fri 5/22 - $85.95 - tickets
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Arena Rock All-Stars (Patio) - Fri 5/22, 6:00pm–10:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - John Weeks Band - Fri 5/22, 7:00pm–10:30pm
Takoda Tavern - Hat Trick - Fri 5/22, 7:30pm–11:30pm
Sinners & Saints - Guy and Norm - Live at the Altar - Fri 5/22, 8:00pm–10:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - The Grind 5280 (Inside Stage) - Fri 5/22, 8:30pm–12:30am
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Stones & Stories: The Geology Behind the Castle - Sat 5/23, 9:00am–11:30am - $38.50 - tickets
Outlets at Castle Rock - Rock the Mountain — Summer Concert Series Kickoff - Sat 5/23, 3:00pm–6:00pm
Lone Tree Arts Center - Southern Street Eats Sampler - Sat 5/23, 5:00pm–9:00pm - $15 - tickets
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Funkiphino (Patio) - Sat 5/23, 6:00pm–10:00pm
The Stagecoach Saloon - Frontline - Sat 5/23, 6:30pm–10:30pm
Wide Open Saloon - Funk It Up - Sat 5/23, 7:00pm–10:30pm
Civic Green Park - Highlands Ranch Beer Festival - Sat 5/30, 2:00pm–5:00pm - $40-$55 - tickets
Happy Crew Coffee House - Midlife Mingle: Dance Floor Anthems - Sat 5/30, 6:00pm–9:00pm - $32 - tickets
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - John Denver "The Tribute" - Sat 5/30, 6:45pm–10:00pm - $89 - tickets
The Ridge at Castle Pines North - Yoga & Abeille at The Ridge - Sun 5/31, 8:30am–11:00am - $44.52 - tickets
Need more events? Check out https://dougcosocial.com/events
Hometown Headlines
Parker Reveals Three Design Options for Mainstreet / Parker Road Intersection
TLDR: At Parker's May 7 open house, town staff presented three design options for the Mainstreet / Parker Road intersection: a Diamond Interchange with Roundabouts ($50–60M, most disruptive), two Continuous Flow Intersections ($20–25M), and the Dual Quadrant Roadway ($12–20M, the most-liked by residents). The intersection currently operates at a “C–D” Level of Service grade and is projected to drop to “E” by 2038. Construction is at least 10 years out — another open house is planned for late 2026.
Castle Rock Water Moves to Tiered Fee Structure Based on Home Size
TLDR: Castle Rock Water approved a revised methodology for charging water/wastewater system development fees on new single-family homes — now tiered by square footage instead of a flat fee. Based on a town-wide study of about 750 homes built 2023–2025. Expected to lower fee revenue by ~10% and reduce fees for smaller homes. Takes effect later this summer.
Douglas County and AdventHealth Partner for Mental Health Awareness Month
TLDR: Douglas County announced a new partnership with AdventHealth this week focused on mental wellness awareness, access, and support across the community — timed to Mental Health Awareness Month.
Toepfer Park 2.0 Celebration Rescheduled to June 1
TLDR: Highlands Ranch's grand opening event for the renovated Toepfer Park was postponed due to weather and is now set for Sunday, June 1. The park itself is open in the meantime.
Touch-A-Truck Sunday, May 17, at the Parker Farmers Market
TLDR: Parker Engineering and Public Works is parking its equipment in the O’Brien Park lot from 8am–1pm Sunday, May 17, alongside the Parker Farmers Market. Multiple vehicles to explore, staff on hand to talk about the work. Kicks off National Public Works Week (May 17–23).
Local partners and occasional affiliate links help support DougCo Drop and keep it free for readers. Send an email to [email protected] if you’re interested in sponsoring the newsletter.
If someone forwarded this to you and you want local updates like this every week, subscribe here! Looking for even more Castle Rock-specific events and stories? Subscribe to our sister newsletter, Castle Rock Crew.
