Read the stories from the latest issue:
Art on the Streets (AOTS) brings downtown Colorado Springs to life with displays of public art. Now in its 27th year, the selected exhibitions are showcased in a downtown gallery for one year. In 2025, a panel of jurors selected from nearly 150 proposals submitted by artists from across the state, the country and around…
During the June 24 City of Castle Pines City Council meeting, Council approved the addition of a roundabout at the intersection of Buffalo Trail and Monarch Boulevard. This addition will be completed as part of the ongoing 2025 Monarch Boulevard reconstruction project. The addition of the roundabout will: Improve the ability to make a left…
Following community feedback and further fire risk analysis, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners decided not to pursue camping at Sandstone Ranch any further. “We have heard from citizens that it is necessary we find a balance between providing recreation amenities in Douglas County while also prioritizing public safety,” said Commissioner Abe Laydon. Information…
A storage facility is scheduled to open in January 2026 on the southwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Lagae Road. For more information, email communications@castlepinesco.gov. Information and renderings provided by the City of Castle Pines; photo by Hollen Wheeler
A proposed mixed-use development near downtown Castle Rock is in the works. Called The Brickyard, the urban renewal area will include a four-star hotel, six new restaurants, a state-of-the-art recreation center, an entertainment venue, plus 500 homes, primarily apartments and town homes. Just west of I-25 on Prairie Hawk Drive, the 31-acre site is currently…
In July, Douglas County secured $500,000 in federal funding to go toward widening the “gap” on US Highway 85 between Sedalia and Castle Rock. Prior partnerships with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) have yielded progress, yet the remaining segment between Sedalia and Castle Rock faces ongoing safety, capacity and congestion challenges. This funding will…
The Louviers fire (also known as the Airport Fire) was 100% contained within three days, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) and the Office of Emergency Management. Thanks to efforts of all the fire crews, support personnel and agencies who worked around the clock to protect lives and property. Mild weather conditions also…
Last month, all Douglas County Health Department offices moved to a single location in Englewood. The departments include: Community Health, Emergency Preparedness, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Vital Records and WIC (Women, Infants and Children). For more information, visit douglas.co.us/health-department/. Information provided by Douglas County; photo by Hollen Wheeler
The Nail Room (TNR), a full-service nail salon, opened its doors at Sola Salons in October 2024. Offering gel-manicures and pedicures with a focus on sculpted gel services and basic nail art, TNR aims to be a relaxing atmosphere for personalized pampering. Behind the manicure table is owner and sole technician, Jacke Golomski, a…
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) raised mailing service prices 7.4% last month. The new rates include a 5-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 73 cents to 78 cents. The additional-ounce price for single-piece letters increased from 28 cents to 29 cents. The USPS applied a price reduction of 12%…
Last month, the Douglas County Economic Development Corporation Annual Breakfast & Awards featured guest speakers District Attorney George Brauchler, Sheriff Darren Weekly, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners, and additional representatives from the Douglas County Homeless Initiative. The event focused on how public safety underpins economic development, and speakers highlighted the vital connections between law…
Douglas County students head back to the classroom this month. With limited budgets, many teachers need and hope for extra supplies in their classrooms–pencils, disinfectant wipes, index cards, etc. They also oftentimes spend their own money to purchase furniture items, classroom activities, reading materials and fun items like classroom decorations, plushies and stickers. Many teachers…
Colorado General Assembly bill SB25-236 combined the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line (988 Colorado) and Colorado Crisis Services (CCS) line, making 988 Colorado the primary way to connect to immediate and free emotional, mental health or substance use support 24/7. This transition reduces redundancies and delivers a more seamless experience for individuals when they need…
Pam and Doug Cooper arrived in The Village at Castle Pines following Doug’s retirement in 2013. An attorney, Doug had enjoyed previous legal postings in Cleveland, Detroit and Dayton. Since then, the Coopers have burrowed deep into the local social and governing fabric. Doug’s story begins in Ithaca, New York, where his mother and father…
Vacquero resident Reagan Topping has gone from picturesque prairies to a job in finance. A recent graduate from CU Boulder, Reagan will begin her next adventure this summer at her dream job with Lockheed Martin. While Reagan may not be working to build spaceships, her role as financial analyst for Lockheed Martin is a foundation…
Dan and Tristin Gleason have called Colorado home for nearly three decades. Before their recent move to The Village at Castle Pines, the family lived in Lone Tree for 23 years where they raised their two boys, who graduated from Highlands Ranch High School, Luke in 2022 and Nick in 2024. Dan and Tristin met…
In July, the Rotary Club of Castle Pines (RCCP) and the Castle Rock High Noon Rotary Club became partner clubs. The latter changed its name to the Rotary Satellite Club of Castle Pines. The RCCP meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7 a.m. at The Village of Castle Pines Homes…
A decade ago, Staff Sergeant Michael Connors was confined to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (Walter Reed) for 18 months. He was evacuated there due to injuries sustained in the Middle East during his second deployment. When Michael was having mental health struggles, a service dog saved his life and the experience became…
“Time to update your pet’s microchip.” This periodically pops up on social media, but what does it really mean and how do you do it? If your pet came from a rescue or a reputable breeder, there is a very good chance he or she is microchipped. If they did not arrive with a microchip,…
Rio is a 5-year-old yellow Labrador retriever full of energy and enthusiasm who joined the Grace family in April 2020. Although her coat leans to a softer cream color rather than sunshine yellow like a traditional yellow Lab, Rio has a classic Lab look with her expressive dark eyes, broad head and strong, athletic build.…
Since the Kindness Rocks Project went viral in the U.S. in 2015, painted rocks with inspiring messages or art on rocks have been popping up in unexpected places across the country. Called rock gardens, there are many spread throughout Douglas County. A new one has been “growing” along the only walking trail in the Hidden…
A spirited crowd of almost 100 guests gathered at Trestles Coastal Cuisine in the Village Shops for a memorable evening in support of the Lone Tree Arts Center (LTAC). The unique “Breakfast for Dinner” theme delighted attendees with a standout menu featuring fried chicken and waffles made using Village at Castle Pines resident Glynis Albright’s…
With an average high temperature hovering near 90 degrees in Douglas County, August is perennially hot. This month’s book recommendations are all about the heat. Used as a literary device, oppressive summer heat plays a role in all the stories listed below. So, find some air conditioning and pick up a book that swelters. Heat…
Douglas County Libraries (DCL) is partnering with coffee shops and breweries for its annual Brew Tour, a community contest where participants log their visits to the venues for rewards, points and prizes. From August 1 to September 30, the Brew Tour allows residents to experience different DCL libraries while also supporting local businesses. Registration for…
The Town of Castle Rock’s Public Art Commission (PAC) unveiled a vibrant new mural at Festival Park in downtown Castle Rock. This latest installation is part of PAC’s ongoing efforts to enhance the town’s character and beautify public spaces in ways that reflect local values and identity. The restrooms at Festival Park, heavily used during…
August: that time of year when schools are starting up again and the days are at their hottest. Did you know that August was not always the eighth month of the year? In the original Roman calendar, the month was called Sextilius, meaning sixth. In 8 B.C., the first Roman emperor Augustus Caesar had the…
On a beautiful summer evening in July, several hundred residents gathered at Coyote Ridge Park for an evening concert by Ninety2K. Attendees brought lawn chairs, shade tents, snacks and beverages and sat back and enjoyed the band, hosted by the City of Castle Pines. Photos courtesy of Nick Neira
Peaches are often associated with the state of Georgia. But right here in Colorado, the Town of Palisade has a long history of producing outstanding peaches, along with other fruits. In August, the town, east of Grand Junction and 252 miles west of Castle Pines, celebrates its peaches during Peach Days. Palisade peaches are known…
Born in 1883, James Edward Abbe lived above his father’s bookstore in Alfred, Maine. A shutterbug from the beginning, James convinced his father to add cameras and photographic supplies to his inventory. Thus began James’s life and adventures that would span the globe. James found love first with Eloise Turner. Though they had two…
It is no secret that Colorado was once part of the mining sensation that drove many pioneers west in search of silver and gold. If you are intrigued with the history or interested in a hands-on experience, the Capital Prize Gold Mine (CPGM) is 90 minutes west in beautiful Georgetown. In addition to public tours,…
The Village Castle Pines Garden Club (Garden Club) hosted a donation drive on Saturday, June 28. The group collected more than 3,000 items—gently used clothes, household goods and toiletries—for Help & Hope Center, one of the philanthropies that the Garden Club supports. The collection of items will be distributed to families and individuals facing hardship…
For the third year in a row, the Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF) is seeking nominations for its Hero Awards, which recognize the service and valor of Douglas County first responders, Armed Forces members, and community heroes doing transformative work serving people in Douglas County. The DCCF 2025 Hero Award categories are: Armed Forces Hero:…
Crossword brought to you by Allstate Insurance — Tammy Lopez (720) 733-1331 Across 1. Tofu base 4. Endure 8. Talk up 12. Pink, as a steak 13. From square one 14. Havens 16. “What are the ___?” 17. Combustible heap 18. Rural village in South Africa 19. Not just “a” 20. McFly portrayer 21.…
This year, the 5280+ Senior Chorales (Chorales) celebrated 10 years of bringing music and spirited performances to venues across Douglas County. The Chorales’ mission is to “provide significant and measurable health and wellness benefits of choral singing to mature adults.” The founders chose the Chorales moniker as a nod to Denver being 5,280 feet in…
The Social Security Administration is celebrating recent legislation that delivers tax relief to millions of older Americans. The bill ensures that almost 90% of Social Security beneficiaries will no longer pay federal income taxes on their benefits, providing immediate relief to seniors who have spent a lifetime contributing to the nation’s economy. The new law…
President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Senior Citizens Day in 1988. Observed on August 21, a Thursday this year, the annual holiday is dedicated to celebrating older adults’ accomplishments and the positive impacts they have on the community. “Throughout our history, older people have achieved much for our families, our communities and our country.…
August is, hands down, my favorite time of year for food. Everything that is fresh and tasty seems to be bursting out everywhere: the farmers market is at peak capacity, roadside stands offer everything from peaches to roasted chilis, and even the grocery store seems to boast more colorful and tasty goodness. Every year, my…
On July 15th, the Country Club at Castle Pines Women’s 18-Hole group hosted its annual Charity Day. Nearly 70 women participated in the scramble tournament, raising more than $15,000. Each year, the group chooses a local organization to support, and this year the beneficiary was The Happy Crew, a nonprofit with a mission to end…
Summer is a chance to feel like a kid again. The long, hot days of August are our last chance at summer, before the bustle of September begins. Everyone has their own special summer memories, but here are a few ideas to maximize nostalgia, because why should the kids have all the fun? If your…
The Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF) hosted its third annual Drive FORE DCCF Golf Tournament, sponsored by Kraemer North America, on June 16 at the picturesque Ravenna Country Club in Littleton. More than $123,000 was raised to help Douglas County nonprofits continue to positively impact the community. By Sara Goodwin; photos courtesy of Douglas…
The beauty of Colorado is not lost on the USGA and Douglas County residents love their golf. Thanks to those of you who sent in photos. By Hollen Wheeler; courtesy photos
The Rueter-Hess Reservoir (RHR) in Parker now offers visitors enhanced fishing and boating experiences, including catch-and-keep fishing of walleye, largemouth bass and yellow perch. Other fish, such as black crappies, bluegills, channel catfish, fathead minnows, wipers, triploid grass carps and white suckers, will need to be released. RHR also supports the limited use and size…
Dear Mrs. A., Here comes the school year, would you kindly give us a school etiquette refresher we can share with our kids? -Grinning in Green Briar Dear Grinning, What a wonderful request and I’m happy to answer. Let’s start with being on time and being ready to work. It shows respect for your teachers…
Rock Canyon High School head coach Nick Artinger and his football players took time this summer to serve the community. On June 28, the team donated and sorted more than 1,200 food items for the food pantry at Pax Christi Catholic Church in Highlands Ranch. By Julie Matuszewski: photos courtesy of Jean Henry
Noah Swant is your typical sixth grade boy who loves the game of baseball and to follow his favorite team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. It came as no surprise that he was one of the first students to sign up for the Timber Trail Elementary BASE (Before and After School Enrichment) summer outing to watch…
Activity for all and the gem of Castle Rock Parks are vital for cities, offering numerous benefits such as promoting physical and mental health and fostering community connections. They also enhance property values, attract businesses and residents and contribute to the overall quality of life. Jeff Smullen, assistant director of the Town of Castle Rock’s…
A real estate guru, a collector, a father, a grandfather and a philanthropist, Roger Rostvold has a story worth sharing. He and partner Janine Gibson are enjoying retirement in their townhome in HOA2. Stemming from Norwegian heritage, Roger was born in Palo Alto, California, and grew up in Claremont, the oldest of five. He attended…
Memorial Day weekend officially kicked off summer travel along the I-70 mountain corridor, and since then, motorists have started to see delays ramping up with Denver hitting triple digits last month and summer activities and events in mountain communities creating a big draw. The Fourth of July weekend is consistently…
Life can change in a moment’s notice. Registering for CodeRED alerts from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) allows mass notifications to areas where emergencies are occurring. The system not only notifies citizens of evacuations for emergencies like wildfires, it also notifies when there is police activity in an area, bio-terrorism alerts, boil water notices,…
On June 18, community members, local leaders and advocates gathered for an afternoon of celebration and connection at the much-anticipated open house celebration of Unity on Park, an inclusive housing development for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD). Hosted by the Douglas County Housing Partnership in collaboration with Wellspring Community, the event marked a…
Local teens are sitting on both sides of the table at Teen Court, a peer-to-peer criminal justice system for teens under 18 years old charged with non-violent, first-time municipal offenses. The program is restorative in nature with the goal of preventing future offenses. Teen Court has positive benefits for everyone involved. According to Alex…
Hard times happen. A new resource guide can help residents connect to convenient wellbeing services. Working together, the Douglas County Health Department, Department of Human Services, the Healthy Families Partnership and the Older Adult Initiative collaborated to collect resources and combine them into one online map for all ages focusing on the following needs: Education…
On June 11, the Douglas County Older Adult Initiative held a Senior Resource Fair and Town Hall at the county building in Castle Rock. Several local organizations set up booths to share information about transportation, housing and in-house services (such as meal delivery and help with chores), followed by a panel presentation that included questions…
Douglas County taxpayers who are 65 or older as of January 1 may qualify for a senior property tax exemption. The application deadline is Tuesday, July 15. The partial tax exemption for senior citizens was created for qualifying seniors as well as the surviving spouses of seniors who previously qualified. As of January 1, taxpayer…
Growing up suffering from eczema, 22-year-old Jack Kerstiens (pictured left) tried everything to relieve his discomfort. The ointments, creams and even prescriptions never provided much comfort, so Jack looked for a more natural solution and found tallow. Tallow is rendered, clarified beef or sheep fat, mostly from around the animal’s organs. It has a…
At just 19 years old, Kayden Ozdemir is on the road to success and already has a formidable resume. Currently studying astrophysics with a double major in business management and economics at the University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC), Kayden graduated from Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) in 2024 with highest honors and is one of…
Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali: all of these famous artists revolutionized the painting style known as Modernism, but one artist has been on the path to an entirely unique art style, fittingly called “Gregism.” Lifelong artist Greg Dye captures colorful scenes of the American West in his own method of oil painting. Greg…
Having a child graduate into their next phase of life, at any age, can be emotional; your heart is pulled in different directions. Imagine having three kids move forward all at the same time. Welcome to Mary and Mike Kasal’s world these past few months. The Kings Crossing parents watched two daughters and a son…
When you ask Preston Clapper at what age he set his sights on being a pilot, he will tell you it was as early as he can remember. Growing up in a military household with a dad who was an F-16 pilot in the Air Force was also pivotal. “Aviation has always been a central…
No two days are the same for the executive director of Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL), Donna Walker. Her role is to meet the mission of the library and oversee 11 branches and 450 staff members. Donna spends much of her time meeting with elected officials and community leaders to understand how the library can…
Carrie Glassburn has her perfect job at the Town of Parker (Town). As the cultural director of Parker Arts, Carrie has a variety of responsibilities. She selects mural artists and bands to book for the upcoming season at Discovery Park, the downtown amphitheater; she writes grant proposals for new cultural initiatives; she presents to Town…
Last month, deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) responded to an unusual call––a wild moose signting near I-25 and Happy Canyon Road. After wandering the community and being captured on several Ring security cameras, a neighbor reported that the female moose, estimated to weigh 1,000 pounds, settled in behind Saxton Place in The…
Hey there, it’s me, your dog Mi-Perro. (You know my name means “my dog” in Spanish, right?) I want to share some thoughts with you about me and thunder and fireworks. It’s summertime! Nice warm days. Time for playing on the grass and chasing balls. But also, time for those loud fireworks and thunderstorms. I…
Biscuit, a miniature horse, was just four months old when Kristi Hoben brought her home in 2018. The amount of joy Biscuit would end up bringing to others was not yet known. But boy, did she shine. In 2019, the principal of Palmer Ridge High School in Monument reached out to Kristi’s husband and…
With more than 100 years of history and tradition, the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo (DCFR) is a county icon. The fair runs every summer, with its award-winning rodeo, celebrating the western heritage and agriculture of Douglas County. DCFR marks 1918 as its official first year, but several similar events in the previous couple of…
In May, the Wiens Ranch in south Sedalia hosted a cutting horse competition, reminding us that ranching was and remains significant to the economic welfare of Douglas County. William Newlin of Parker is credited with bringing Shorthorn cattle from Minnesota into Douglas County in 1862. The term of art is ranging, i.e., cattle ranged…
Ancient Greek, Roman and Celtic cultures believed bees to be messengers that moved between mortals and the gods. Ancient Egyptians revered bees and honey—both were associated with the sun god Ra. Bees represented harmony, balance, luck and prosperity in Chinese folklore. Today we often associate these miniature pollinators with industry and hard work. Honey has…