Great to see some of you at the Sunset Supper Club last night! The experience was even better than I thought it would be. I was a little nervous with the forecast and the late-afternoon showers, but it cleared up beautifully and was nice and cool with no wind when everyone sat down to eat.

If you haven't already joined the waitlist for the current dates and future dates, please let me know and I will get you added. I still have everyone who filled out that poll a few weeks back, so I can notify you the moment more dates drop (working on it).

We mentioned this in Castle Rock Crew earlier this week, so here is the fuller picture. Crowsnest is a very large development proposal in the county right now, and it just hit another pause.

It is a roughly 745 acre area along Crowfoot Valley Road, between Castle Pines and Parker, that is owned by 9 separate landowners whose land has primarily been used for cattle ranching since the 1920s. It remains non-urban agricultural land to this day. The developer, who has the land under contract with these owners, first tried to annex it into the City of Castle Pines. That petition was withdrawn in March after heavy resident pushback. Now the developer is going straight through Douglas County, asking the county to amend its long-range Comprehensive Master Plan for the site, which is the first step before any development could happen.

On Monday, July 20, the county Planning Commission voted to table that amendment for further study. That is not an approval and not a denial. About 40 people spoke, and roughly two-thirds were against it, and the commission wanted more answers on things like water service and traffic before moving forward. The developer can revise the plan and come back for a new hearing, so nothing is settled yet. In its earlier form the plan floated around 3,000 homes plus apartments, though the current county step does not lock in any density.

We broke the whole thing down, from the original annexation fight to what happens next, in one place. Read the full Crowsnest breakdown here

If you have been looking for somewhere new to get outside, Castle Rock just opened its biggest new trail system in years, and it is worth the drive from just about anywhere in the county.

Lost Canyon Ranch sits on the southeast edge of town, and it is a big one. 681 acres, 10 miles of new trail open now, and terrain that runs from open grassland to hoodoo rock formations. Gobbler's Pass takes you through a slot in the rocks, Lost Moccasin has a 39-step stone staircase built into the hillside, and Big Bear Hollow climbs to an overlook where you can see across the canyon and out towards Franktown to the north and east.

A few things to know before you go. It is more spread out than it looks, a handful of trails are still under construction and expected to open this fall, and no dogs are allowed on this one, though Castlewood Canyon next door welcomes them. There are two parking lots off Lost Canyon Ranch Road.

We put together a full guide with every open trail, the difficulty, parking, and what is still closed. See the full Lost Canyon Ranch guide here

One more for the calendar. The Douglas County Fair and Rodeo kicks off this weekend in Castle Rock, and the two headliner nights are big ones. Trace Adkins plays Friday, July 24 on his 30th Anniversary Tour, and AWOLNATION takes the stage Saturday, July 25 with Friday Pilots Club opening. See everything happening at the Fair and Rodeo here

Local jobs and opportunities across Douglas County.

If you're hiring, reach out at [email protected] for a free posting.

Only 3 tickets left for the Sea Turtles sip and paint. We're teaming up with Emma Paints at Wild Blue Yonder Brewing in downtown Castle Rock on Wednesday, July 29 at 6pm. Grab one here before they're gone.

Music & Concerts
Pines Bar and Grill - Open Mic Night at Pines Bar and Grill - Thu 7/23, 6:00pm–9:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Sarah P and the Hay Pullers at Tailgate Tavern - Thu 7/23, 6:00pm–10:00pm
105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: Jax Jordening at 105 West Brewing - Thu 7/23, 6:00pm–9:00pm
Highland Heritage Regional Park - HRCA Summer Concert Series: Chili Powder - Thu 7/23, 6:30pm–8:00pm
Discovery Park - Discovery Park Summer Concert: El Paso Lasso - Thu 7/23, 6:30pm–8:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - The Country Music Project at Tailgate Tavern - Thu 7/23, 7:30pm–11:30pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Face Vocal Band - Fri 7/24 - $85.95
The Groove at Lyric - Friday Night Live: Martin Gilmore at The Groove - Fri 7/24, 5:00pm–8:00pm
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Jeffrey Alan Band at the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo - Fri 7/24, 5:30pm–7:30pm
Lone Tree Golf Club & Hotel - Music on the Patio: Josh Blackburn at Lone Tree Golf Club - Fri 7/24, 6:00pm–9:00pm
Larkspur Community Park - Larkspur Music in the Park — Atomic Drifters (Oldies) - Fri 7/24, 6:00pm–8:00pm
Pines Bar and Grill - Blue Moon Group - Fri 7/24, 8:00pm
The Stagecoach Saloon - Sarah P and the Hay Pullers Live at The Stagecoach Saloon - Fri 7/24, 6:30pm–10:30pm
Wide Open Saloon - Buckcherry at Wide Open Saloon - Fri 7/24, 7:00pm–10:30pm - $33.85+
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Trace Adkins Live at the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo 2026 - Fri 7/24, 7:00pm–10:00pm - $65.08
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Alkaid at Tailgate Tavern - Fri 7/24, 7:00pm–11:00pm
Studio@Mainstreet - Phoenix at Studio@Mainstreet - Fri 7/24, 7:00pm–11:00pm
Lone Tree Arts Center - Tunes on the Terrace: Peter Oyloe Nashville at Night at LTAC - Fri 7/24, 7:30pm–9:30pm - $40-$45
Takoda Tavern - Supersonic at Takoda Tavern - Fri 7/24, 7:30pm–11:30pm
Sinners & Saints - Chance Gallagher — Live at the Altar - Fri 7/24, 8:00pm–10:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - The Grind 5280 at Tailgate Tavern - Fri 7/24 8:30pm, Sat 7/25 8:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Dolls in the Attic (Aerosmith Tribute) at Tailgate Tavern - Fri 7/24, 9:00pm–11:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Adam Rey at Tailgate Tavern - Sat 7/25, 12:00pm–4:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - Saturday Acoustic Show at Wide Open Saloon - Sat 7/25, 2:00pm–5:00pm
105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: Steve & the Cruisers at 105 West Brewing - Sat 7/25, 6:30pm–9:30pm
Wide Open Saloon - Skunk Draggin at Wide Open Saloon - Sat 7/25, 7:00pm–11:00pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Live Music at The Whiskey Lodge - Sat 7/25, 7:00pm–10:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Stone Beat Invasion at Tailgate Tavern - Sat 7/25, 7:00pm–11:00pm
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - AWOLNATION with Friday Pilots Club at the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo - Sat 7/25, 7:00pm–11:00pm - $65.08-$75.69
Studio@Mainstreet - Joe Wren and the Roadies at Studio@Mainstreet - Sat 7/25, 7:00pm–11:00pm
PACE Center - 38 Special Live at the PACE Center - Sat 7/25, 7:30pm–10:00pm - $100-$120
Takoda Tavern - Mike Maurer Band at Takoda Tavern - Sat 7/25, 7:30pm–11:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Andre LaMotte on the Patio at Tailgate Tavern - Sun 7/26, 9:00am–12:00pm
Takoda Tavern - Nikki Z. Solo on the Upper Patio at Takoda Tavern - Sun 7/26, 12:00pm–4:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Sarah P and the Dirty Logger at Tailgate Tavern - Sun 7/26, 12:00pm–4:00pm
Studio@Mainstreet - Twos Company at Studio@Mainstreet - Sun 7/26, 1:00pm–4:00pm
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Jessica Loobey at the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo - Sun 7/26, 2:00pm–4:00pm
105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: Jack Hadley at 105 West Brewing - Sun 7/26, 2:30pm–5:30pm
Max Taps Co. - Live Music: Platt Canyon Revival at Max Taps - Sun 7/26, 4:00pm–6:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - The Vibe Colorado at Tailgate Tavern - Sun 7/26, 5:00pm–9:00pm
Elk Ridge Park - Castle Pines Summer Concert Series — Narrow Gauge - Sun 7/26, 6:00pm–8:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Wild Bill Outlaws at Tailgate Tavern - Wed 7/29, 5:30pm–9:30pm
Savina's Mexican Kitchen - Savina's Summer Concert Series: David James and the JWB - Wed 7/29, 6:00pm–9:00pm
Festival Park - Jazz in the Park - Wed 7/29, 6:30pm–8:00pm
Takoda Tavern - Open Mic Night at Takoda Tavern - Wed 7/29, 7:00pm–10:00pm
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Jeff Goodwin at the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo - Wed 7/29, 7:00pm–9:00pm

Food & Drink
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Afternoon Tea at the Castle - Fri 7/24 1:00pm, Sat 7/25 1:00pm - $74.95
Sterling Ranch CAB - Atlas Coffee Tasting at Sterling Ranch - Sat 7/25, 9:00am–10:00am
KB Ranch - Cowabunga Cafe at KB Ranch - Sat 7/25, 11:00am–2:00pm - $28
Denver Polo Club - Denver Polo Club x Tiny Table Summer Dinner (July) - Sat 7/25, 6:00pm - $225
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Colorado Farm-to-Table Brunch - Sun 7/26, 10:00am–12:00pm - $70-$133
Bar Hummingbird - Castle Rock - Bubbles & Beats Sunday Brunch at Bar Hummingbird - Sun 7/26, 11:00am–3:00pm

Arts & Culture
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - 90-Minute Tour of Cherokee Castle - Thu 7/23 10:00am, Fri 7/24 10:00am, Sat 7/25 10:00am - $21-$24
PACE Center - Masterpieces in Magical Motion at the PACE Center - Thu 7/23, 6:00pm–8:00pm - $25
The Schoolhouse - Beetlejuice JR. Youth Musical at The Schoolhouse - Fri 7/24 7:30pm, Sat 7/25 2:00pm, Sun 7/26 2:00pm - $18
Teaology Tea Cafe - Watercolor Class with Raelene: Cute Frog - Sun 7/26, 1:00pm–3:00pm - $42
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Arts Afield 2026 at Cherokee Ranch - Wed 7/29, 8:30am–12:00pm - $39
Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co. - Sea Turtles Paint & Sip in Castle Rock - Wed 7/29, 6:00pm–9:00pm - $55

Nightlife & Entertainment
Pikes Peak Event Center - Stand-Up Comedy Show & Terry Barton Gregg's 70th Birthday Bash - Sat 7/25, 6:00pm–9:30pm - $25-$70
Max Taps Co. - Free Comedy Show at Max Taps - Sat 7/25, 7:30pm–9:30pm
Alidade Brewing - Mahjong Monday at Alidade Brewing - Mon 7/27, 5:00pm–7:00pm
Purgatory Cellars Winery - Mahjong 101 with Evergreen Mahjong Collective - Tue 7/28, 5:00pm–7:30pm - $35

Family
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Drone Show at the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo - Fri 7/24, 8:15pm–8:45pm
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Drone Show Encore at the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo - Fri 7/24, 10:30pm–11:00pm
Sterling Ranch CAB - Splash Bash at Sterling Ranch - Sat 7/25, 12:00pm–3:00pm
Backcountry Base Camp - Backcountry Bigfoot Bash - Sat 7/25, 6:00pm–8:00pm - $5 adults, $25 kids (0-2 free)
Backcountry Base Camp - Backcountry Outdoor Movie: Zootopia 2 - Sat 7/25, 8:00pm–10:00pm - $30
Elk Ridge Park - Summer Splash Water Day — Castle Pines - Wed 7/29, 3:00pm–7:00pm

Fitness & Wellness
Civic Green Park - Free Yoga in the Park at Civic Green - Sat 7/25, 8:00am–9:00am
Festival Park - Monday Evening Yoga in the Park at Festival Park - Mon 7/27, 6:30pm–7:30pm
Belvedere Park - Yoga in the Park at Belvedere Park (July) - Tue 7/28, 6:30pm–7:30pm

Markets & Shopping
Parker Senior Center - Whimsical Wonders Outdoor Market - Sat 7/25, 9:00am–3:00pm

Festivals & Fairs
Festival Park - Douglas County Fair Parade 2026 - Sat 7/25, 9:30am–12:00pm
Colorado Renaissance Festival Site - Colorado Renaissance Festival — Time Travelers Weekend - Sat 7/25, 10:00am–6:30pm - $32+
Festival Park - Boots and Brews 2026 - Sat 7/25, 11:00am–4:00pm

Outdoor & Adventure
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Petrified Wood Hike at Cherokee Ranch - Sat 7/25, 8:00am–11:00am - $39.50

Community
Downtown Castle Rock - Western Heritage Welcome: Cattle Drive - Fri 7/24
Wide Open Saloon - SPARTA 111: MMA & Bare Knuckle Boxing at Wide Open Saloon - Sat 7/25, 6:00pm–11:00pm - $55-$125
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Vintage Car Club of Castle Rock Car Show at the Fair - Sun 7/26, 11:00am–3:00pm

Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - ProRodeo: Roughstock at the Rock — Bares, Broncs & Bulls - Thu 7/30, 7:00pm–9:00pm - $43.86
PACE Center - Lonestar Live in Concert at the PACE Center - Thu 7/30, 7:30pm–10:00pm - $84-$94
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Western Flyers at the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo - Thu 7/30, 9:00pm–11:00pm
Downtown Parker (check in at Parker Chamber Office, 19751 E. Mainstreet) - Parker Wine Walk — July 2026 - Fri 7/31, 4:30pm–7:30pm - $25-$30
PACE Center - Spotlight Abilities: Life is Sweet! at the PACE Center - Fri 7/31, 6:00pm–8:00pm
Sterling Ranch CAB - Pickleball Social at Sterling Ranch - Fri 7/31, 6:00pm–8:00pm
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - ProRodeo: Patriot Night at the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo - Fri 7/31, 7:00pm–9:00pm - $43.86
The Schoolhouse - Beetlejuice JR. Youth Musical at The Schoolhouse - Fri 7/31 7:30pm, Sat 8/1 2:00pm - $18
Colorado Renaissance Festival Site - Colorado Renaissance Festival — A Final Huzzah (Closing) - Sat 8/1, 10:00am–6:30pm - $32+
Philip S. Miller Park Amphitheater - Colorado Day Festival - Sat 8/1, 10:00am–2:00pm
Outlets at Castle Rock - Barks & Brews at the Outlets at Castle Rock - Sat 8/1, 4:00pm–6:00pm
Philip S. Miller Park Amphitheater - Summer Concert Series: Fitz and The Tantrums with Sun Room (Colorado Day Show) - Sat 8/1, 6:00pm–10:30pm - $49-$85
Douglas County Libraries - Castle Rock - Brew Tour Kickoff Party - Sat 8/1, 6:00pm–8:00pm
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - ProRodeo: Ride for the Brand at the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo - Sat 8/1, 7:00pm–9:00pm - $43.86
PACE Center - BYU-Idaho Dance Alliance: Limitless - Sat 8/1, 7:00pm–9:00pm - $10-$15
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Barn Dance at the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo - Sat 8/1, 9:00pm–12:00am
O'Brien Park - Parker Honey Festival 2026 at O'Brien Park - Sun 8/2, 8:00am–1:00pm
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Pancake Breakfast at the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo - Sun 8/2, 8:00am–10:00am
Denver Polo Club - Disco Sunday Polo Tailgate at Denver Polo Club - Sun 8/2, 10:00am–3:00pm - $28.52+
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Eric Golden at the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo - Sun 8/2, 11:00am–1:00pm
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - ProRodeo: Cowboys for Cops at the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo - Sun 8/2, 1:00pm - $43.86
Purgatory Cellars Winery - August Mini-League with Evergreen Mahjong Collective - Tue 8/4 5:00pm, Tue 8/11 5:00pm - $55
The Schoolhouse - Cinderella: From Slippers to Street - Tue 8/4, 6:00pm–8:00pm - $17
Country Club At Castle Pines - Brunch in the Pines - Wed 8/5, 11:00am–1:30pm - $180
Civic Green Park - Highlands Ranch Ice Cream Social 2026 - Wed 8/5, 5:00pm–8:00pm
DCSD Legacy Campus - Author Event: Devour Me — Emily Rath and SJ Tilly - Thu 8/6, 5:30pm–8:00pm - $35.00
Wide Awake Eatery - Dueling Pianos at Wide Awake Eatery - Thu 8/6, 6:00pm–9:00pm - $23.18-$28.52
Festival Park - First Fridays Family 5K and Concert: Six Million Dollar Band - Fri 8/7, 5:30pm–9:00pm
Highland Heritage Regional Park - Broadway in the Park - Fri 8/28, 6:00pm–7:30pm

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Castle Rock declares Stage 2 drought, with mandatory watering limits
TLDR: With water demand running well above target, the Town moved to Drought Stage 2 Watch, effective July 21. That brings a mandatory two-day-per-week watering schedule, a 50% cut to Tier 2 water budgets, and a hold on encouraging new landscaping installs for now.

Castle Rock and Parker hit pause on drone delivery
TLDR: Both towns have paused commercial drone delivery while they write rules for it. Parker's council passed a moratorium this week, and Castle Rock stopped taking applications as Walmart looks at launching drone delivery from its local store.

Parker Arts turns 15 and puts its new season on sale
TLDR: Parker Arts is marking 15 years, and tickets for its 2026-2027 season went on sale to the public July 21. Expect a full slate of theater, music, and family shows across the PACE Center and the Schoolhouse.

Castle Pines Parkway work expands; Buffalo Trail reopens this month
TLDR: City Council voted July 14 to expand the 2026 Castle Pines Parkway reconstruction, replacing the concrete between Forest Park Drive and the Buffalo Trail roundabout with asphalt after crews found it more damaged than expected. The project is still on track for early fall, and nearby the Buffalo Trail reconstruction is ahead of schedule and set to reopen by the end of July.

The Collective opens at Parker Station
TLDR: A new business hub at Parker Station with private offices, meeting spaces, and virtual-office options, letting people set up a professional downtown Parker address while working from anywhere.

Douglas County approves a $22.8 million Axon public safety upgrade
TLDR: The county is replacing its Flock cameras with a roughly $22.8 million Axon system, adding license-plate-reader cameras and Skydio drones the Sheriff's Office can send to certain calls as first responders.

Every Douglas County school keeps a dedicated resource officer
TLDR: The Board of County Commissioners renewed its funding partnership with the school district, so every school in Douglas County will again have a dedicated Sheriff's Office resource officer for the 2026-2027 year.

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