Read the stories from the latest issue:
The community came together in a big way last month to support local teachers. The Castle Pines Connection partnered with local businesses, nonprofits and neighbors to help educators purchase supplies for their classrooms in a “Complete the Classroom” event. Community members sent in nominations, and we selected one teacher from each of our six community…
The 58,580 square-foot space that served as the anchor for the shopping center at 560 Castle Pines Parkway––and which was vacated by the national supermarket chain Safeway more than a decade ago––may soon have a new tenant. According to Nick Perry, manager and leasing agent at Perry Castle Pines Marketplace LLC (PCPM), the Safeway lease…
Dear Mrs. A, Please share a friendly etiquette reminder for the upcoming holiday rush at the post office. -Ms. Manners in Esperanza Dear Ms. Manners, We so fortunate to have the wonderful people who own and operate the post office branch in Castle Pines. I absolutely love going in there, and I am always happy…
Listed below are recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before Thursday, December 25. For items sent to addresses in the contiguous United States (lower 48 states): First-Class mail service: Dec. 17 Ground Advantage service: Dec. 17 Priority Mail service: Dec. 18 Priority Mail Express service: Dec. 20 For items sent to addresses in Alaska and…
Faith, family, and fun fuel Master Police Officer Adrian Mendez. He enjoys time outside hiking, camping, off-roading and riding motorcycles, spending time with his family and taking care of those closest to him and his community. Adrian carries these passions into his work with the Castle Rock Police Department (CRPD). What was once a hobby,…
The American Legion 1187 in Castle Rock held its 38th annual birthday banquet on October 25 at the Bear Dance Golf Club in Larkspur. Tim Dietz—Councilman for The Town of Castle Rock, Navy veteran and member of Post 1187 and VFW Post 12230—was the banquet’s keynote speaker. The event recognized area first responders and law…
5280+ Senior Corales at Parker Advanced Integrative Medicine AdventHealth Castle Rock Alice + Kate Boutique Bakery Alta Empanada Altura Design Build Anderson Farms A Paws for Life AriClean Art & Soul LLC – Holistic Expos Ava Lee – Orchard Real Estate Barrett Rothe Big Life Integrative Health Big O Tires Black + Haus Tavern Blue…
A food pantry that supports military families on Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora saw a large increase in the amount of food leaving its shelves last month. Struggling to keep up with demand, Buckley reached out to Douglas County nonprofit SECOR Cares, who brought its mobile food truck to the base at no cost.…
Kim Becker Advertising Account Manager Kim Becker moved to Castle Pines from Southern California with her husband, daughter and labrador in 2022. They fell in love with the natural beauty and wonderful community and are grateful to call Castle Pines home. Kim graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Psychology.…
You have probably seen claw machines at fairs or entertainment centers, but two Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) families have put them on wheels. Pop Claw, a mobile arcade trailer, rolled into this year’s Castle Pines Fall Festival. “We’re pretty sure it’s the world’s first mobile crane arcade,” said co-owner Jimmy Brown, who runs the…
At a London pub in 1992, Ben Lockett, a captain and tank commander in the British Army, first met Kim. After graduating from CU Boulder, Kim was traveling around Europe and on a whim, decided to stay in London, getting a visa and a job at The Gap. The two became a couple even as…
Annie Deschane, a Castle Pines native, is a jack-of-all-trades. The 24-year-old mechanical engineer has bounced between sports, marching band and scientific pursuits since she was a kid growing up in the Bristlecone neighborhood. From early on, Annie skied, swam with the Castle Crocs Swim Team and played soccer; but her childhood passion lay with tennis,…
As a 6-year-old boy, Willie Daniels often found himself gazing upward at the expanse of the sky with a dream of becoming an astronaut. But as it goes for many people, life had other plans, and Willie’s dreams shifted from exploring space in a rocket ship to flying the friendly skies in an airplane. Captain…
On October 22, the City of Castle Pines held its twice-yearly New Resident Welcome Party at The Ridge at Castle Pines. Roughly 40 new residents gathered to learn more about the city, the business community, the chamber and their local newspaper – all while enjoying complimentary drinks and refreshments with fellow new neighbors. A few…
The Castle Rock Senior Activity Center (CRSAC) held its 33rd Annual Castle Rock Craft Show Extraordinaire on November 8 at the Event Center at Douglas County Fair Grounds. More than 90 vendors displayed hand-crafted items, such as quilts, jewelry, stained-glass Christmas decor and bedazzled serving utensils. More than 4,800 attendees came ready to fill shopping…
The 5280 Senior Chorales performed their 11th annual fall concert, Good Tidings, to a full house at Parker United Methodist Church on Sunday, November 9. The concert kicked off the group’s holiday season performances for family and friends. The non-auditioned daytime choirs are open to anyone ages 50 to 80+ seeking a fun, challenging and…
Colorado is known for its 300 days of sunshine, which means lots of sunny snow days. Here are some ideas to enjoy a beautiful day outside while making the most of winter’s white precipitation. Snow critters Snowmen are a classic, but there is no need to limit yourself to just one design. Try building a…
Sixteen-week-old Halo is not just a puppy, she is a whirlwind of curiosity and affection wrapped in a shiny, liver-colored coat. For Michelle Donnelly, a Founders Village resident, Halo is more than just a playful German shorthaired pointer (GSP), the pup is a source of comfort and connection after loss. Michelle lost her 5-year-old GSP…
Canyons Community Church 4825 Crowfoot Valley Road, Castle Rock canyonscc.org Hope Lives*: December 20, 4 p.m. Christmas Eve: Candlelight Service, December 24, 4 p.m. Castle Oaks Covenant Church 826 Park Street, Castle Rock castleoaks.org Christmas Sunday: December 21, 10 a.m. Christmas Eve: December 24, 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Castle Rock First United…
In addition to the many customary ways there are to celebrate the holidays in December, we asked residents to share some of their special holiday traditions. Katie said, “The weekend after Thanksgiving, we always cut down our Christmas tree, then go to Bud’s Bar for the best burger around. We have been enjoying this tradition…
There was chatter nationwide last month about the aurora borealis, the northern lights, which were visible in some of the lower 48 states on the night of November 11, an exceedingly rare occurrence. Colorado was one of the lucky states and some viewers away from big city lights could see the majestic magenta and green…
Parker is an appealing Front Range bedroom community with an Old West flavor. The town is vastly different from its beginnings when it was a bullwhackers’ haven, a mere stopping point for drivers of oxen from here to there. Alfred Butters had an inkling then, a notion of service, how to grow the town and…
Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) have become a staple of modern holiday décor. Native to Mexico and Central America, poinsettias are a flowering plant, though not in the way you might think. The brightly colored parts are not flower petals, but rather modified leaves or “bracts.” The flowers are the small yellow bits in the center of…
December is often when “best of the year” lists are compiled. With more than 275,000 books published in the United States in 2025, readers and list-makers alike have options. This year-end list consists of books that generated conversation or buzz. Pick up one or more of the books listed below to join the chats. …
The Forest Park neighborhood hosted its first Holiday Art & Craft Sale on November 15 at the HOA’s club house. Some of the items for sale were hand-crafted oil paintings, carved stonework and macrame as well as baked goods like cookies and caramels. “We had an incredible turnout and no one walked away empty handed,”…
Linsay and Ryan Shirley, residents of The Village at Castle Pines, celebrated atop Pikes Peak on Labor Day after completing their 58th and final Colorado 14er. The Shirleys were surrounded by family and friends who joined them on the summit to cheer them on. Their celebration included a champagne toast, Pikes Peak donuts and chocolate…
In 2025, we featured eleven nonprofits in our Angels Among Us segment. As the year ends, we reflect on each. The hope and strength they provide is miraculous. Extra special thanks to each organization for taking time to visit and allow The Connection to share their inspirational stories. Here’s to continued good in 2026! Be…
In the heart of southeast Denver, sits the imaginative campus of Iliff Preschool, Kindergarten, and School-Age Summer Camp (Iliff). A unique classroom awaits its young learners, grounded in legacy and lifted by dreams, a fabulous playground for children. Every year, 15 wide-eyed kindergarteners step down the ramp of a real DC-7 fuselage (called Charlie 21),…
Baking and cooking can be challenging at elevations 3,000 feet above sea level and higher (like us at 6,000 feet) because of lower air pressure and often drier air. These conditions affect food preparation in two main ways: liquids evaporate faster and boil at lower temperatures, and leavening gases in breads and cakes can expand…
This is it. For home cooks, December is the big show, the one we all train for. As someone once said, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with. One of the things I love best about December is that it gives me a reason to spend hours in…
A well-stocked baking aisle in a grocery store can have such a great variety of alternatives to all-purpose flour that it can be overwhelming. While bakers understand that the type of flour used can make all the difference in the quality and taste of the final product, many of us can find it perplexing. All-purpose,…
The holiday season brings family, festive meals, and…sometimes unexpected plumbing problems. Between extra cooking, house guests and cold weather, December is one of the most common times for sewer backups. Fortunately, a few simple habits can help Castle Pines families keep things flowing smoothly. Many sewer backups start with what goes down the drain. When…
Mushrooms offer a remarkable combination of nutritional, medicinal and environmental benefits. There are a multitude of mushroom varieties, each with unique characteristics, but all edible mushrooms offer a distinctive umami to dishes. Umami is often considered the fifth basic taste, along with sweet, sour, salty and bitter. This earthy, savory taste makes mushrooms extremely…
Crossword brought to you by Allstate Insurance — Tammy Lopez (720) 733-1331 Across 1. On the peak of 5. One might like the cut of 8. VCR button 13. Wise guy 14. Spiraled-horned African antelope 15. Italian maritime city 16. Grimm beginning 17. Guinness and others 18. Part of coffee prep 19. God of the…
Students and staff at American Academy – Castle Pines came together on National First Responders Day (NFRD) to show their appreciation for local heroes from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and South Metro Fire Rescue. The school hosted a morning breakfast where first responders were treated to coffee, breakfast burritos and donuts, along with heartfelt…
Over fall break, Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) got an exciting new addition: 9,600 square-feet of turf installed on the playground. This upgrade was made possible thanks to the incredible support of the parents and community who helped reach the fundraising goal during the TTE’s biggest fundraiser of the year in September, the Timber Trot. The…
Located just minutes away in Larkspur, Stone Canyon Outdoor EdVentures (SCOE) feels like a world apart. For the first time, DCS Montessori (DCSM) middle schoolers attended a fall retreat at SCOE, and the students said it was the spot to unplug, breathe in the mountain air, and spend a few days exploring the outdoors. All…
Kindergarten registration for the Douglas County School District (DCSD) 2026-2027 school year opened November 3. Eligible incoming students must turn 5 on or before October 1, 2026. Registration for Buffalo Ridge Elementary and Timber Trail Elementary can be completed online using the DCSD QR code or at dcsdk12.org/kindergarten. Required documents include proof of residency, parent…
Students in Janna Robinett’s business class at Rock Canyon High School learned of a need and took strides to give back. The team made a business plan to purchase the materials to make blankets for Children’s Hospital. “After receiving no donations during the first week, we decided to reach out to relatives and peers directly…
Rocky Heights Middle School held Career Day for eighth grade students on Friday, November 7. Industry leaders made presentations from the following fields: medicine, engineering, real estate, media, law enforcement and sports. Hollen Wheeler, Editor of The Castle Pines Connection, presented on careers in the communications field, highlighting job descriptions in public affairs and journalism…
Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) students practiced literacy as they read Jeff Brown’s book Flat Stanley, then colored their own Flat Stanley paper cutouts and mailed him to friends and family around the country and the world. Students ask Stanley to be returned with photos and tales of his far-flung adventures. This annual project is a…
Bringing the mountain indoors Colorado is a snowy dream come true for anyone who loves mountains and skiing. The state is a winter paradise with snow-capped peaks, frosted pine forests and endless sunshine. More than 30 resorts promise powder days and alpine thrills. But for those who cannot make the trek to the mountains every…
In a quiet valley in Sedalia, Happy Dog Ranch (HDR) sits on 117 acres along Jarre Creek, a preservation of old western Colorado. A nonprofit run by Bernadette and John Spillane, HDR has structures dating back to the 1880s and a long history as a brewery and stable. But the true heart of the…
As the seasons change, so do yard work needs. You can take your leaves to Douglas County’s fall leaf collection site, located at 1400 Caprice Drive in Castle Rock. The collection site is open for three Saturdays in November from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: November 1, November 8 and November 15. Leaves can be…
October 23 marked a major step forward in fundraising toward the planned Heroes Hall in Castle Rock, thanks to a $100,000 founding donation on behalf of the Aloha Fund, a private, locally owned philanthropic fund that supports nonprofits in Castle Rock and throughout Douglas County. The inspiration for Aloha Fund Founder, Hilleary Everist, was her…
In September, the Douglas County Opioid Council (DCOC) launched a public awareness campaign designed to reduce stigma and strengthen community awareness about opioid use. “As a longtime Castle Rock resident, it was important to me that this prevention and awareness campaign be informed by people in recovery,” said Savannah Putman, DCOC member and director of grants…
The online pre-sale has begun for native and adaptive plants through the Douglas County Conservation District (Douglas Conserves). Plants from seedling evergreen trees to hardy fruiting trees from local nurseries will be available for purchase. Plants ordered will be available for pickup in spring 2026 (date TBD) from the Douglas County Fairgrounds. There will be…
South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) recently partnered with AdventHealth in a prehospital blood program, the first in the Denver metro area and one of the few in the country. This groundbreaking collaboration puts two units of O-negative blood with SMFR and supervisors of emergency medical services (EMS), allowing these first responders to begin blood transfusions…
In early September, the social committee of the Castle Pines North II HOA installed a new outdoor book-sharing box. The committee members, Rachel Slade (chair), Sally Bowman, Delta Stein, Lisa Lane and Karen Kennedy, added the little white community library just outside the gated entry for the HOA pool at the corner of Brambleridge Lane…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) has rolled out a new program to help ensure that interactions with law enforcement are safe, clear and respectful for everyone at a traffic stop, including those with a disability or who may need additional assistance. The Blue Envelope Program officially launched on October 1. It is designed to…
There is an evolution in health care where different medical systems are combined for the overall wellness of a person, managed over time by one clinician. Meet health care expert and nurse practitioner Paige Nielsen-Mayer, who recently launched her practice, Renegade Regenerative Health, at 7505 Village Square Drive. “I am offering a different level…
Babies and children grow quickly; it is never too soon to start preparing for their education. Money invested in a 529 educational savings plan grows tax-free to use on approved expenses like tuition, room and board, laptops, printers and more – helping to make the most of your hard-earned money. 529s can even be used…
Mathnasium of Castle Pines, located at 7280 Lagae Road, officially opened its doors with a grand opening ribbon cutting celebration held in October with the Castle Pines Chamber. Mathnasium is a learning center that provides math-only tutoring and instruction for students from pre-kindergarten through high school. Using the proprietary Mathnasium Method™, the center focuses on…
For more than a decade, the E Guide has been the colorful magazine insert in The Connection newspaper that showcases restaurants and events in and around the community. Beginning this month, there will be a new addition to the E Guide…exercise. What began in 2015 as The Connection Food & Dining Guide evolved into the…
Dr. Andrew “Andy” Warren is an entomologist, but more specifically a lepidopterist, a butterfly and moth expert. He discovered a new genus of moth in 2023 by the shack at the East/West Regional Trail off of Monarch Boulevard. Last summer, Andy’s paper on this moth was published by the Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society and…
Vacquero resident Ken Williams has been a painter since he was 6 years old. Ken and his high school sweetheart, Dayna, moved to Castle Pines in 2003. Father to Taylor and Trevor, Ken is now a grandfather to Taylor’s toddler, Kane (3). While Ken’s job is managing a brokerage firm, he is an avid artist…
In honor of Veterans Day this month, we recognize the Colorado Veterans Project (CVP). Founded in 2014, CVP is a nonprofit which strives to build a community and network of support for Colorado veterans’ transition from active duty into civilian employment. CVP recognizes that this transition can be one of the biggest challenges a…
November 11 is Veterans Day, a day to thank and celebrate all who have served honorably in our armed forces, both in wartime and in peacetime. The holiday acknowledges and expresses appreciation for those individuals’ contributions and underscores that all those who served have sacrificed for our national security, not only those who died. When…
Bin Blessed (BB) celebrated its 10th anniversary on September 25 at the home of Deni Schwartzel in The Village at Castle Pines. BB is a grassroots organization founded by Cy DeBoer to support There With Care, a nonprofit that brings essential items to families whose children are in critical care. BB’s volunteer network, which has…
Dear Mrs. A., Kindly give us a refresher on Veterans Day coming up on November 11. – Holly in HOA1 Dear Holly, Thank you for this thoughtful inquiry. Let’s start with a quick reminder on the distinction of Veterans Day. Veterans Day is a fixed holiday and always falls on November 11, the date of…
Douglas County’s explosive residential boom notwithstanding, ours is still a county of sprawling ranches and open spaces. Driving down Highways 105 and 83, herds of cattle can be seen grazing and moving about serenely. However, when it is time to move those cattle to another pasture or round them up, the key to everything is…
Speakeasies arrived on the scene with the ban of alcohol during the Prohibition period,1920-1933. Originally created as secret and often underground places to buy illicit alcohol and socialize on the sly, people whispered or spoke softly to keep things quiet, hence the name. Speakeasies may be nearly impossible to find or merely hiding in plain…
Since 1993, excited hearts and eager hands have had the joy of unwrapping shoeboxes that were sent across the country and the world, just for them. The boxes are packed full of goodies they need, want and are delighted to receive. Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational Christian nonprofit organization that provides spiritual and physical aid…
In the cozy Serena neighborhood home of Mike, Brenna and 5-month-old Sylvie Fudjack, lives Iris, a lovable, one-of-a-kind pup. A mix of German shepherd, poodle and golden retriever, Iris brings together the best traits of all three breeds to her family. Iris has a soft and wavy, low-shed, apricot-colored coat, slightly pointed ears and the…
Water is the lifeblood of civilization. Responsibly managed with a rational long-term outlook, it has been of singular importance in the development of our western states. When first observing the waters of our Cherry Creek, it is hard to see anything other than a seemingly shallow, meandering muddy stream. Looks deceive. Though not remotely measuring…
On October 4, the Village Castle Pines Garden Club (Garden Club) held a donation drive for Backpack Society (BS), whose mission is to remove food insecurity from children in school districts in Douglas County, Littleton and Englewood. Led by Garden Club community outreach committee chair Mary Murray, the drive took place at the King Soopers…
Douglas Land Conservancy (DLC) hosted its annual Under a Wild Sky fundraiser on Saturday, September 20, at the historic Beeman-Duncan Ranch in Sedalia. More than 300 guests attended in support of DLC’s mission to protect and steward open space in Douglas County. The evening featured a ranch-style feast catered by Wide Open Saloon, a dessert…
Ryan (8) and Evan (6) Jacobs, two brothers from the Green Briar neighborhood and students at Timber Trail Elementary (TTE), have turned their love of nature into a small business, In Your Own Backyard. The boys hand make and sell bird feeders, do-it-yourself bird feeder kits, humming bird feeders and bug catching kits. The brothers…
Crossword brought to you by Allstate Insurance — Tammy Lopez (720) 733-1331 Across 1. More wise 6. Nickname for author Kingsolver 10. Looney Tunes corporation 14. Dwelling 15. Petri dish filler 16. Story events 17. Heliotrope (mineral) 19. Working stiff 20. ___ judicata 21. Canine command 22. Layered dish 24. Sharp mountain ridges 26.…