Labor Day Liftoff was a blast — recommend trying it out one of these years if you haven't already. Thankfully I went on Saturday morning and got to see it all happen — heard that Monday morning was too windy so no one actually took off…
Saturday morning over Prospect Lake.
While I was down there I checked something else off the bucket list — Manitou Incline…it's significantly more challenging than our own Challenge Hill in Castle Rock and I admittedly got fooled by a false summit. I had heard it was 10 Challenge Hills so I thought I was done at step 2000…nope, had another 700+ to go. To make matters worse, there were a few regulars who ran into each other and a guy who was at least 10 years older than me was on his 5th incline of the day…and he passed me…with ease.
The one person I was actually able to pass was this guy on all fours who had somehow made it half of the way up with a child strapped to his back.
Sorry, bud…had to snap a photo of you being the #1 dad…
And congratulations to Deborah E., who won the $50 Mod Mountain Boutique gift card. Thanks to everyone who entered.
One Last Supper Club on the Ranch
The last Sunset Supper Club of the season is Tuesday, September 29, out at KB Ranch with the sun going down behind it. Four courses, and this one is the beer pairing, with a craft beer from Alidade Brewing in Castle Rock matched to each course.
Note the time moved up. September 29 runs 6 to 8pm, earlier than the summer nights, because the sun is setting quicker now.
A New Castle in Castle Pines — Castello Italiano
The room after a year of work.
I only found out it was open because I was across the square the night before, at ClueClock, and there were lights on in a room that has been dark for two years.
If you've driven Village Square in Castle Pines lately you know the one. Pino's ran there for two decades, closed at the end of September 2024 and filed for bankruptcy days later. The room has been sitting empty ever since.
It isn't anymore. Castello Italiano soft opened Monday, Aug. 31 and opened for good on Sept. 1. It's from the family behind Farro Italian Restaurant in Centennial, and it's their first expansion.
The remodel is the part the neighbors keep talking about. It took about a year, co-owner Petrit told me, and it wasn't a repaint. 157 seats, a nice little wine wall, TVs over the bar. Whatever you're picturing from the old space, it isn't that anymore.
The Milan Sunrise mocktail.
What I ate. I went solo on a bar seat the third night they were fully open. The Milan Sunrise mocktail is sweet and actually pretty good. The Caesar is a true starter salad and won't leave you without any room for your entree. I ordered the wild boar ragu on the bartender's recommendation and the bison short rib ravioli came out instead, but I'm not complaining — it was on the list to try too and was quite good. Dessert…I'm just going to be honest — judge me if you want: I ordered both the creme brulee and the Italian lemon cake and I ate them both. You're allowed to do that when you go to dinner by yourself, right? The lemon cake is the one I'll order again.
The bison short rib ravioli.
One fair warning. They'd been fully open two days when I sat down and a few kinks showed. If your first visit isn't perfect, give them a little love and go back. The food is quite delicious.
Dinner only, closed Mondays. 4 to 9pm Tuesday through Saturday, 4 to 8pm Sunday. Walk-ins are welcome, reservations recommended. 361 Village Square Ln, Suite 130, Castle Pines.
Next trip is the wild boar. Actually getting it this time. The White Bolognese is on the list too, and I keep hearing the tiramisu is worth saving room for.
Wednesday, September 30. Two dinners, one night, both in Lone Tree.
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 make the reservation, and the restaurant gets revealed the day of. You order off the menu and pay for your own food and drinks.
Grab a seat here and use code LT5 for $5 off.
Couples Dinner (55+) runs the same night if you'd rather bring your person. Same idea, different room.
Grab a table here and use code TABLE10 for $10 off, good through September 30.
Help Wanted
Local jobs and opportunities across Douglas County.
If you're hiring, reach out at [email protected] for a free posting.
Saddle Up
Paint Night Is Back in Castle Rock
Emma Paints is back in town, and she's leaning into spooky season with this one. On Friday, September 18 at Iron Mule Public House and Brewery, she's teaching Spooky Swing. A little ghost on a flower-covered swing under a moonlit tree, spiders and all. More cute than creepy, and it'll be on your wall in time for Halloween.
If you made it to the sea turtle night at Wild Blue Yonder in July, you know how these go. Emma brings everything. Canvas, paints, brushes, all of it, and walks you through every step. No experience needed. Order a beer, follow along, and take your painting home.
Friday, September 18, 6 to 9pm. Iron Mule Public House and Brewery, downtown Castle Rock.
Music & Concerts
Sterling Ranch CAB - Ascent Concert Series: Grunge Lite 90s - Fri 9/11, 6pm–9pm
Prost Highlands Ranch - Live Music with The Bobbits - Fri 9/11, 5pm–9pm
Max Taps - Live Music: Bad Decisions - Fri 9/11, 6pm–9pm
The Groove at Lyric - Friday Night Live: Andy Sydow - Fri 9/11, 5pm–8pm
Pines Bar and Grill - Blue Moon Band - Fri 9/11, 6pm–9pm
Takoda Tavern - Orchard Road - Fri 9/11, 7:30pm–11:30pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Sinatra Tribute Show LIVE - Fri 9/11, 7:30pm–9:30pm
Wide Open Saloon - Uncle Kracker - Sat 9/12, 7pm–10:30pm
Lone Tree Arts Center - Georgia on My Mind: Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles - Sat 9/12, 7:30pm–9:30pm
Prost Highlands Ranch - Live Music with The Beloved Invaders - Sat 9/12, 5pm–8pm
Takoda Tavern - Stone Cold Revival - Sat 9/12, 7:30pm–11:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Brass Attack Band - Sun 9/13, 5pm–9pm
Lone Tree Arts Center - Denver Concert Band Presents The Roaring 20's - Sun 9/13, 2pm–4pm
Studio@Mainstreet - Freddy Jones Band - Thu 9/17, 8pm–10:30pm
Highlands Ranch Mansion - Curtain Call at the Mansion: An Evening of Jazz & Soul - Thu 9/17, 6:30pm–8pm
Miller Park Amphitheater - Tunes for Trails: Ninety Percent 90s - Thu 9/17, 6:30pm–9pm
Food & Drink
Downhill Brewing - Elktoberfest Party - Sat 9/12, 12pm–9pm - Free
Lone Tree Brewing Company - Oktoberfest at Lone Tree Brewing - Sat 9/12, 11am–8pm - Free
Villa Parker - Afternoon Tea at Villa Parker - Sun 9/13, 1pm–3pm - $59.40
Parker Station - Yelp's Taste of Parker Food Festival - Tue 9/15, 6pm–8pm - Free
Wide Awake Eatery - Comedy Night - Thu 9/17, 5pm–9pm - $28.52
Arts & Culture
Monk & Mongoose (High Note), Lone Tree - Mahjong 101 with Abeille - Thu 9/10, 5pm–8pm - $71.21
Hilltop Schoolhouse - A Day at the Hilltop Schoolhouse - Sat 9/12, 10am–3pm - Free
Spring Valley Schoolhouse - Ribbon-Cutting and Open House - Sat 9/12, 10am–1pm - Free
Vehicle Vault - Espresso & Exhaust - Sat 9/12, 9am–12pm - Free
Douglas County Library, Highlands Ranch - DCL Author Event: Sisters in Crime Author Panel - Sun 9/13, 6pm–7:30pm - Free
Lone Tree Arts Center - SPARK! Armchair Travel: Iceland - Thu 9/17, 1:30pm–3pm - Free
Family
Sterling Ranch CAB - Puppy Plunge at Sterling Ranch - Sun 9/13, 12pm–4pm - Free
Lone Tree Brewing Company - Donkeys and Mini Cows on the Patio - Sat 9/12, 1pm–4pm - Free
Books are Awesome, Parker - Book Swap - Sat 9/12, 4:30pm–6pm - $5
Max Taps Highlands Ranch - Book Swap - Sun 9/13, 3:30pm–5pm - $6.54
Douglas County Fairgrounds - Just Between Friends Children's Consignment Sale - Thu 9/17, 10am–7pm - Free–$3
Outdoors
Grigs Road Pavilion - Elk Bugling Hike - Sat 9/12, 5pm–7:30pm - $12–$15 (also Thu 9/10, Tue 9/15 and Thu 9/17, same time)
Prairie Sky Park, Lone Tree - Guided Nature Hike: Urban Coyotes - Sat 9/12, 6pm–7:30pm - Free
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Elk Bugling Sightings & Sounds - Tue 9/15, 5pm–7:30pm - $44
Backcountry Base Camp - Nature Night Out - Sat 9/12, 4:30pm–6:30pm - $15 per car
Markets
Highlands Ranch Town Center - Highlands Ranch Farmers' Market - Sun 9/13, 10am–2pm
Parker Station - Parker Farmers Market - Sun 9/13, 8am–1pm
Sterling Ranch - Sterling Ranch Farmers Market - Wed 9/16, 3pm–7pm
Festivals & Fairs
Highlands Ranch Mansion - Highlands Ranch Western Fest - Sat 9/12, 10am–2pm - Free
Eastridge Rec Center - Fall Craft Fair - Sat 9/12, 9am–5pm - Free
The White Antler - Autumn Showcase - Sat 9/12, 11am–2pm - Free
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Community Day - Sun 9/13, 10am–3pm - Free
Community
Ziggi's Coffee, Castle Pines - Coffee Klatch with Mayor Tracy Engerman - Thu 9/10, 7:30am–8:30am - Free
Living The Dream Brewing, Highlands Ranch - Beers for Bucks: HRCA Backcountry Fundraiser - Thu 9/10, 6pm–8pm - Free
O'Brien Park - 911 Remembrance Event, 25th Anniversary - Fri 9/11, 10am–11am - Free
O'Brien Park, Parker - Parker Proud Showcase - Sat 9/12, 1pm–3pm - Free
Max Taps Highlands Ranch - Tap Out Alzheimer's - Sat 9/12, 5pm–10pm - Free
Festival Park, Castle Rock - A Rally of Hope for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month - Wed 9/16, 5:30pm–7:30pm - Free
Lost Canyon Ranch Open Space - District 5 Town Council Open House - Thu 9/17, 4pm–6pm - Free
There's live music somewhere in the county most nights of the week. The standing lineup, by venue, is 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.
Heads up on events that are further out:
Four Oktoberfests land on Saturday 9/19, all free:
Wilcox Square, Historic Downtown Castle Rock - Oktoberfest - 1pm–9pm
Living The Dream Brewing, Highlands Ranch - Oktoberfest Celebration with Mini Horses - 12pm–10pm
Prost Highlands Ranch - Vinyl Nation at Prost Oktoberfest - 12:30pm–3:30pm
Lyric at RidgeGate, Lone Tree - Oktoberfest at Lyric - 5pm–8pm
And the rest of the month:
Larkspur Community Park - Autumn Arts & Crafts Fest - Sat 9/19, 10am–5pm and Sun 9/20, 10am–4pm - Free
Entertainment District Plaza, Lone Tree - Color Our Community - Sat 9/19, 11am
Future Soaring Hawk Park, Castle Pines - Castle Pines Drive-In Movie Night - Sat 9/19, 7pm–9:30pm - $10 per vehicle
Downtown Parker - Parker Wine Walk - Fri 9/25, 4:30pm–7:30pm - $25–$30
Lone Creek Farms, Franktown - Lone Creek Farms Fall Festival - opens Fri 9/25, then Thursdays through Sundays to Nov 1 - $23.95–$27.95
Highlands Ranch Mansion - Fête des Fables Gala 2026: Snow White - Fri 9/25, 6pm–10pm - $175
Gilly's, Castle Rock - Gilly's Pumpkin Patch - weekends 9/25–26, 10/2–3 and 10/9–10, 10am to dark
Highlands Ranch Town Center - Oktoberfest Highlands Ranch 2026 - Sat 9/26, 1pm–9pm - Free
Providence Park, Sterling Ranch - Sterling Ranch Oktoberfest - Sat 9/26 - Free
Sandstone Ranch Open Space - Douglas County Fall Festival - Sat 9/26, 10am–3pm - Free
CALF's Lowell Ranch, Castle Rock - Harvest Day on the working ranch off I-25 - Sat 9/26, 10am–2pm - Free
O'Brien Park, Parker - Parker Fall Fest 2026 - Sat 9/26, 4pm–7:30pm, with a drone show around 7:30 - Free
Lost Canyon Ranch, Castle Rock - National Public Lands Day volunteer morning, pulling old barbed wire to open up wildlife habitat - Sat 9/26, 9am–12pm - Free, ages 14 and up, registration required
Denver Polo Club, Sedalia - Colorado Highland Games - Sat 9/26, 9am–8pm and Sun 9/27, 9am–5pm - $20–$45
Backcountry Base Camp, Highlands Ranch - Fall Family Fun Day - Sat 10/3, 11am–3pm - $15 per vehicle
Schweiger Ranch, Lone Tree - Lone Tree Oktoberfest - Sat 10/3, 2:30pm–6:30pm
Schweiger Ranch, Lone Tree - Schweiger Ranch Fall Festival - Sun 10/4, 11am
Everything above has a page on dougcosocial.com/events.
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Best of Douglas County
Don't forget to get your vote in. You can always change it or add more as you try new places.
Tons of categories. Best burger, best green chile, best cinnamon roll, etc. Takes a minute or two. No wrong answers.
Hometown Headlines
A new pet store opened in Lone Tree, and the grand opening is this weekend
TLDR: Chuck & Don's is open at 9231 E. Lincoln Ave, Suite 200, with grooming and a self-wash. The ribbon cutting is Thursday the 10th from 4 to 6pm, and the grand opening runs all day Saturday and Sunday, the 12th and 13th: free nail trims and self-washes, a photo booth and a giveaway. On-leash dogs are welcome, plus a free “pupkin” spice latte made with goat milk.
Therapy dog brings comfort to hospital staff and patients in Parker and Castle Rock
TLDR: Wynn is a 7-year-old half Lab, half golden retriever who spent her first five years as a Seeing Eye Dog before switching careers. Now she works AdventHealth Parker and Castle Rock about once a week with volunteer Valerie Lash, and sees up to 50 people per visit. The hospital says what it needs most is more therapy dogs and handlers, so if that sounds like you and your dog, the contact is [email protected].
STEM School Highlands Ranch is adding a homeschool program
TLDR: The school district approved a part-time enrichment program for homeschooled K-8 students, starting this fall. Kids stay classified as homeschoolers and parents keep running the curriculum, but they get one full day a week on campus doing science, engineering, computer science and robotics. K-4 goes Tuesdays, grades 5-8 Thursdays, 9am to 3pm. They are starting small with about 20 students.
Parker's blueprint for the next 25 years gets voted on this week
TLDR: Parker 2050 is the plan that decides what gets built where, how the roads and trails connect and what the town says yes to, and it replaces the current Parker 2035 plan. The Planning Commission adoption hearing is Thursday the 10th and Town Council votes Monday the 21st. Both are open to the public, and the full adoption draft is posted on the town's project page if you want to read it first.
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