Read the stories from the latest issue:
Castle Valley neighbor Lauren Scott has been an athlete for as long as she can remember. But it was not until her sophomore year in high school that she discovered the sport that changed everything. Lauren is making history as the first female athlete from Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) to earn a college scholarship…
To continue supporting the growth on the east side of Castle Pines (east of I-25), North Canyons Development Company (NCDC) is actively working to realign the current S. Havana Street several hundred feet to the east and put in place some of the underlying infrastructure for future development. S. Havana Street will remain open during…
Community leaders celebrated a milestone on February 4, breaking ground at the future site of Elementary School 50 (temporary name), at 11151 Adage Road in Lone Tree. This is the first ground-up elementary school DCSD has built in more than 15 years. The new school will serve approximately 750 Pre-K through sixth-grade students in the…
Development is being proposed west of I-25 in Lone Tree for a new subdivision called Hillcamp Subdivision or the Mesa Tops project, with a plan to build 343 homes. Brookfield Residential and RidgeGate Investments, Inc. have applied to the City of Lone Tree to build a large single-family neighborhood totaling 400 acres split across two…
Douglas County, in partnership with the City of Lone Tree, Parker Water and Sanitation District, and South Suburban Parks and Recreation is building a trail connection for residents of Tall Tales Ranch near RidgeGate Parkway and S. Havana Street. On January 27, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners approved a Public Contract for Services for…
On February 10, the Castle Pines City Council approved a construction contract for renovations to the Castle Pines Community Center located at 7404 Yorkshire Drive. The space began as a sales center for the community, and for more than two decades, the facility has been (and will continue to be) the location for the Castle…
After an overwhelmingly successful first year, the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive is back for Round 2, bringing local first responders and the community together once again to help save lives. According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, last year’s event exceeded expectations, with collective efforts resulting in 212 units of blood donated––enough to…
American Legion Harry C. Miller Post 1187, assisted by a local Cub Scout pack, presented The Four Chaplains Ceremony on January 31 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Castle Rock. The annual solemn ceremony commemorates the selfless acts of four chaplains aboard the USAT Dorchester when the ship sank during World War II;…
There has been a significant increase in scam calls involving individuals impersonating members of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO). In one of the most common scams, callers claim to be deputies or sergeants with DCSO. They often tell the person they are calling that they missed jury duty and now have a warrant for…
On January 29, Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) members gathered at Seasons 52 at Park Meadows to celebrate the successes of 2025, welcome new board members, share plans for the year ahead, and award local organizations. Large business of the year awarded to CORE Electric Cooperative Nonprofit of the year awarded to Backpack Society…
Jodi Stevens thought she had little time to live after experiencing a basilar artery aneurysm at the base of her brain in 2009. Jodi said she thought about her two young daughters and what she wanted her legacy to be. “From my hospital bed, I made my husband, Robert, promise me that he would help…
Rachel Goodman and her family moved to the Knightsbridge subdivision in 2022. She is a mom, wife, friend, cancer survivor, volunteer, coach, book club member and financial planner. Energy and passion propel the life she leads with purpose and kindness. Rachel and husband, Raymi, who is in real estate in Elizabeth, both grew up on…
Red and black with tiny flashes of shiny blue, Boba Bar, “Boba” the betta fish is not only beautiful, he is smart, curious and full of personality. The Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) commonly known as the betta, is a freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia. Bettas are known for their bright colors, long flowing…
Devon Barclay, 19, is studying to be a labor and delivery nurse at the University of Wyoming. Devon and brother, Brady (17), have both lived in the Turquoise Terrace neighborhood their entire lives. Devon grew up swimming, joining the Castle Pines Storm team when she was 6 years old, and staying with the team until…
Nine-year-old Graham Burns recognized a need and made a difference. After watching a video about people purchasing food for unhoused individuals, Graham thought about similar ways to be involved. With guidance from mom, Mindy, Graham found a way to help the homeless. Mindy went to JustServe.org to find a local way for Graham to help.…
Lisa Armao’s background in early childhood education includes more than 33 years as a Montessori-trained executive director. In 2018, she viewed an intergenerational programing documentary about a memory care home with an onsite preschool. She immediately knew bringing the old and young together was the calling for the rest of her life. The local nonprofit,…
Last month, the winners of the Cutest Pet in the Pines contest stopped by The Pet Stuff Place in the Village Shops to pick up their prizes. Otis, the first-place winner, arrived to claim his basket and gift certificate with his family, Steve and Jake Armstrong, who grabbed Otis’s prize the day before his one-year…
As Colorado marks its 150th anniversary, few musical artists feel as inseparable from the state’s spirit as John (Deutschendorf) Denver––whose stage name was inspired by the capital of his favorite state. Tribute bands all over the world have shared Denver’s music since his untimely death in 1997, and Cherokee Ranch & Castle (CR&C) recently hosted…
In recognition of 2026 marking 150 years of Colorado statehood, this segment will highlight the state’s many official emblems and symbols in a multipart series. This month looks at Colorado’s name and nickname, state motto, seal, flag, tartan, folk dance, songs, and summer and winter sports. Colorado’s name comes from the Spanish for “colored red.”…
This 4th of July will be different. Off the charts. Americans will come together, setting daily routines aside to whoop it up in a semi-quincentennial gala to contemplate 250 years of achievements (and struggles) since our nation’s founding. It will be an epic celebration. Beginning here, with this month’s pages and continuing in the four…
If you need help, there is hope. That is the essence of the Help & Hope Center (H&H), which serves Douglas and Elbert counties. Visiting the nonprofit, you will find food, clothing, emergency financial help and other resources you and your family might need during financial crisis or challenging times. H&H is home to client…
Colorado has had the area code 303 since telephone area codes were first established in 1947, and it has been a point of pride for Coloradoans seemingly ever since. Accordingly, the third day of the third month has unofficially been “303 day” since at least 2009. March 3 is a day to celebrate everything Colorado—explore…
Jacob and Benedict Schultz of Switzerland were among the earliest Europeans immigrating to Colorado, finding their way to Russellville in the midst of gold fever in 1859. Housed at the Santa Fe stage stop in town, the brothers began aggressively acquiring properties in 1866. Jacob married Caroline Jones, whom he met on his transatlantic voyage.…
The “Big Dance,” the nickname for the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, has captured American attention since 1939. Our appetite for basketball has only increased over the past nine decades. Fill out your bracket with these books and find a winner. The Last Great Game: Duke vs. Kentucky and the 2.1 Seconds that Changed…
Dear Reader, You know I adore a party! So, this month I thought we would chat about the two most important people who make the party, the throwers and the goers. Throwers concern themselves with details like setting the table, getting out the best dishes, making a seating chart, and placing cards for each guest…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) offers a Medic Alert program for residents. This is not a life-alert button; instead, it is a medical ID bracelet or necklace worn in case someone is unable to respond during an emergency. First responders can call the Medic Alert number to access important information, including name, medical conditions…
Steve Dawes could easily kick up his feet and relax with his wife, Roberta Allen, and enjoy their golden years at their home in Daniels Gate. He has earned it. But the former lawyer regularly attends the Castle Pines North Metro District (CPNMD) meetings, asking questions and lending insights. For the first time in CPNMD…
(Solutions at bottom) This page sponsored by: Allstate Insurance — Tammy Lopez (720) 733-1331 Interested in sponsoring this page? Email advertise@castlepinesconnection.com Crossword By Rachel Poe Across 1. Russian parliament 5. Outdo 8. Glow, as the Sun 13. Very unlikely (you would be Clueless to believe it) 14. Jewish house of prayer 15. Spud 16. Harvard…
There is something magical about baking. The right combination of chemicals can create delicate textures, sharp flavors, and beautiful aromas using everyday ingredients. Nowhere is this more evident than in the use of the humble egg. I often wonder who it was who discovered that beating air into an egg white made it into an…
In the last few years, girls/womens flag football programs have experienced rapid growth around the nation and the world. The NCAA has labeled it the “emerging sport for women in 2026,” paving the way for sponsorships, scholarship opportunities and eventually full varsity status at high schools. Colorado has been a leader in the nation for…
Bananas are the most consumed fruit in America; according to thepacker.com, with 65% of households regularly purchasing them. More songs have been written about bananas than about any other fruit. Bananas are technically berries, yet their plants grow not from seeds but from bulbs. A cluster of bananas is called a hand, and a single…
Valor Christian High School (Valor) cheer and poms teams are celebrating big wins after competing for the Division II (DII) national championships in Orlando last month. Cheer The Valor cheer team competed in the Universal Cheer Association’s contest and performed both game day and traditional routines. The team won first place in the super varsity…
“Football is so fun and not just for boys.” Knightsbridge neighbor Marlee Jackson (11) loves football and is actively recruiting for the first girls flag football league through Castle Pines Athletics (CPA). CPA has had a co-ed NFL flag football league for more than a decade, but this spring is the first time they are…
Every year at this time, college basketball fans wait with great anticipation for the NCAA Division I mens basketball championship tournament, commonly known as March Madness. While it has evolved into one of the most popular and well-known sporting events in the United States, many people may not know of its humble beginnings and remarkable…
Local elementary, middle and high schools all agree that their School Resource Officers (SRO) are amazing. In honor of National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day, celebrated every year on February 15, each school took time to personally thank and recognize their SROs last month. There are 43 deputies who serve schools across Douglas County. As…
There are 18 student athletes from the 80108 ZIP code who signed letters of intent to play their sport at the collegiate level. It takes a great deal of discipline and hard work to balance academics and athletics. Congratulations college-bound athletes! By Hollen Wheeler; courtesy photos
Adorable “future graduate” onesies are being gifted to newborns across the county by the Douglas County School District (DCSD). It is all part of the Healthy Families Partnership (HFP) of Douglas County, a community-based source for maternal/child health and family wellness. When babies are born at a Douglas County hospital—including AdventHealth Castle Rock, AdventHealth Parker,…
Douglas County School District (DCSD) Superintendent Erin Kane spoke last month to the Leadership Douglas County class of 2026. Kane shared her journey to the top, her leadership principles and discussed the challenges and successes of overseeing the third largest school district in Colorado. DCSD has 92 schools, employs more than 7,600 staff (including 3,600…
Transitioning from fifth grade to middle school is exciting, and it can be a little scary and stressful for adolescents about to leave elementary school behind. For the first time, students will have to manage multiple classrooms and class schedules, a major milestone of independence. Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) takes pride in focusing on…
After a brief pause for the holiday break, Happy Crew has resumed its weekly meetings at the Happy Crew Coffee House in Lone Tree and is welcoming students from all Douglas County high schools. Happy Crew is a nonprofit with a mission to destigmatize mental health issues by creating a supportive, inclusive community where everyone…
Not a bad seat in the house Family-owned and operated, Slattery’s Pub and Grill is a neighborhood sports bar located in an area dominated by office buildings and businesses near the Denver Tech Center. Slattery’s appeals to everyone by offering fresh food, cold drinks, and great specials, along with TVs both inside and outside so…
Bianca Pierce never planned to write a children’s book, but after losing her 36-year-old brother Luke Lenski unexpectedly last March, The Canyons resident had to navigate a depth of grief she had never known. Bianca shared, “One late night in July, as I lay awake missing him, God placed the idea for this book…
A large portion of downtown Denver surrounding Ball Arena is in the first stages of redevelopment. Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, owner of the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids, and Colorado Mammoth, has proposed to transform 55 acres of mostly parking lots into a mixed-use district including a performance venue, hotel, residential buildings and parks.…
The City of Castle Pines received an updated petition from VT Crowfoot Valley Landco, LLC., to annex a group of properties, known as Crowsnest, an approximately 795-acre property adjacent to and including portions of Crowfoot Valley Road east of The Canyons neighborhood. The development company, based in Englewood, originally submitted the petition in the fall,…
On January 15, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (Board) for the City of Castle Pines met for updates on local parks Soaring Hawk Park and Coyote Ridge Park. Hord Coplan Macht, the City’s landscape architect consultant, presented the Board with early design concepts, phasing options and cost estimates for Soaring Hawk Park, a park…
DougCoAlert is now available to all Douglas County residents, replacing the previous CodeRED system. Even if you were signed up for the previous system, you must register with the new platform to get emergency alerts. DougCoAlert is a free service that allows individuals to receive notifications sent from state and local authorities to stay informed…
Colorado recently updated its Traction and Chain Laws, which specify the types of tires required for winter driving, the necessary tread depth on those tires and when chains must be used. During winter storms or when conditions require, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will activate the Passenger Vehicle Traction Law, Passenger Vehicle Chain…
“If you come here to steal from us, plan on staying. We incarcerate thieves. All of them.” In December, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners introduced a new ordinance focused on addressing retail theft in the community. Although considered low-level offenses, retail theft is often linked to more serious and violent crime, including…
In February, Douglas County residents can transform generosity into real solutions by showing love to neighbors in need and participating in the Douglas Has Heart (DHH) campaign. DHH is a program of the Douglas County Homeless Initiative (DCHI), which began in 2022 with the goal of compassionately addressing homelessness in Douglas County by partnering with…
At a meeting on January 13, 2025, recently elected or re-elected Castle Pines City Council members were sworn in to office. The Canyons neighborhood resident Nate Winegar joined the Council representing District 3. Because of staggered four-year terms in office, several councilmembers were not eligible for swearing-in but remain active members of Council. Information…
Avid shoppers know the place to go for a fix is the two-story market in Castle Rock: The Barn Antiques and Specialty Shops (The Barn), where a myriad of vendors sell everything from clothes and jewelry to home and seasonal goods. Paisley & Park (P&P) is a women’s clothing store, owned by mother-daughter team…
One of our Village at Castle Pines neighbors, Sandy Goldstein, has been nominated for the American Heart Association’s 2026 Woman of Impact Award for Colorado. At age 25, Sandy began experiencing neurologic symptoms stemming from an undiagnosed heart defect. Atrial septal defect happens when a hole in your heart does not close after birth. The…
Take a drive through the Forest Park neighborhood and you will see mosaic stepping stones shimmering in the sunlight from nearly every yard you pass. Most of them came from the same location: the garage of neighbor Mary Vielhauer. It seems most know Mary by the gifts she gives. She explained that it all began…
Jason Kennedy was appointed Undersheriff of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) in July 2025, after more than three decades of law enforcement and public safety experience in Douglas County. The undersheriff is second in command (next in line after Sheriff Darren Weekly) and responsible for all duties of the DCSO. The role includes leading…
Driving by exit 186 on I-25 is routine for most of us, not realizing what special gems lie behind the massive earthmoving equipment, cranes and burgeoning rooftops of The Canyons community on the east side of the highway. Though many have sipped or dined at The Exchange Coffee House or Canyon House Kitchen + Cocktails,…
Walking into The Third Place for Kids (TTP) in Parker is like walking into a wish. This warm and inviting community space, designed for neurodivergent and disabled kids, was crafted with care in every detail. Casey Brown, co-founder and CEO, is the lovely inspiration behind this local nonprofit. Her background includes early childhood education, teaching…
Congratulations Otis! This pup won the hearts of our judges, and has been selected as the Cutest Pet in the Pines for 2026. Otis’s family will receive a $100 gift certificate to The Pet Stuff Place, a basket of goodies and bragging rights for the year. Gabby and Honey’s families will each receive $50 gift…
Slithery, furry, feathery, large or small, we love our pets. Animals provide interest, joy, companionship and love. Take some time this month and pick up a book or two about our animal family. Made For Each Other: The Biology of the Human-Animal Bond by Meg Daley Olmert. Olmert uses neuroscience, behavioral psychology, archeology and…
Molson is a 2-year-old black German shepherd mix adopted from Humane Colorado’s Buddy Center in Castle Rock. He was one of eight puppies born to a German shepherd mother who is confirmed to be 100% pure bred, but shelter staff believe Molson may also have some Labrador retriever in him due to his body type…
Dear Readers, Let’s discuss the new phone etiquette! I didn’t even know we had a new phone etiquette, but it makes great sense in this day and age. So, can you believe it? The rule is: text before you call! A quick “Can I call you?” or “Free for a call?” is the new courtesy.…
Yes, a bug! The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) offers a fee-based service for land managers and land owners, including homeowners, to request biological control agents for pest control. Biological control, also called biocontrol, is a form of pest management that uses the natural enemies of weeds or pests. Successful biological pest control offers several…
Woof Watch is a community resource program offered through the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) that trains citizens and their dogs for crime prevention. Woof Watch is an extension of the Neighborhood Watch (NHW) program that empowers dog walkers, or anyone out and about in the community, to keep an eye out for suspicious activity,…
Governor Alexander Cameron “Cam” Hunt had an eye for real estate, building his final home on a mountain in southeast Douglas County bearing his name. Born in 1825 in New York City, Cam’s family moved to Freeport, Illinois. His mom taught him to cook; his father to build homes and to play well with others,…
They are a familiar sight and sound around Colorado—large grey-brown waterfowl with long black necks, white “chinstraps” and loud honks: Canada geese (Branta canadensis). Though commonly called “Canadian” geese, the official name is “Canada.” Some may tell you this is because they are named after a person named Canada, but that is untrue—they are named…
(Solutions at bottom) This page sponsored by: Allstate Insurance — Tammy Lopez (720) 733-1331 Interested in sponsoring this page? Email advertise@castlepinesconnection.com Spot the Difference Find the 10 differences between these two photos. By Krysta Parr; photos courtesy of Jason Gray Maze Puzzle Find your way through this maze, starting at the entrance…
There are few things in life better than a great chocolate chip cookie. At the risk of sounding melodramatic, I think that baking a truly stellar cookie for someone is an excellent way to communicate feelings that transcend words. Of all the gifts I might get from a valentine, a fresh, gooey chocolate chipper with…
We all have moments of forgetfulness, whether it is walking into a room and forgetting why, or not remembering a name. While there is not a single-point solution to stave off memory loss or dementia, there are some ways to help sharpen memory. The Mayo Clinic suggests the following activities. Be physically active every day.…
It has been a season to remember for the Denver Broncos, who finished the 2025 regular season 14–3, including eight wins at Empower Field at Mile High, tying franchise records for most wins (1998) and most home wins (2014). The Broncos also won their first AFC West title in a decade, earning the No. 1…
Did you know avocados are actually a berry, not a vegetable? Creamy and delicious, avocados offer nearly 20 vitamins and minerals, including potassium, folate, B6, and vitamins C and E. Avocados are low in sugar, and they contain fiber, which helps us feel full longer. The many hair and skincare products available that contain avocado…