Read the stories from the latest issue:
Next to the legendary Bud’s Bar in Sedalia, sits Zia Mountain Jewelry. Since Zach and Jessica Harris opened the shop in June 2024, it has become a local go-to for authentic Southwestern jewelry along with an eclectic mix of bohemian designs, unique creations and gifts. Zach draws on his lifelong experience as an avid hunter…
The bison at Daniels Park will soon have an additional 160 acres, about the size of 143 football fields, to roam in the Highlands Ranch Backcountry Wilderness Area. The new pasture was created through a partnership between the Backcountry Wilderness Area Fund, Denver Mountain Parks and the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. The project is part…
Last month, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) dropped critical supplies to lost hikers near Bear Mountain in western Douglas County. Initial reports indicated that the subjects were low on water and phone battery. While multiple teams were responding, the DCSO drone team located the subjects, established communication, confirmed they were uninjured and sent the…
Spending a day on the reservoir should be all about fun, sun and making great memories––and safety is a critical part of any water activity. Wearing a life jacket is the simplest, most effective way to protect yourself and the people you love. Rueter-Hess Reservoir Ranger Supervisor Jason Trujillo reminds us that life jackets must…
Amanda Ball has a creative mind and spirit. She is the creator and master mind behind Colorado Creative Vending and Parker’s Trinket Trade Box. Amanda has an extensive background in graphic design with a minor in fine art and advertising. She taught middle and high school art at private schools while living in Maryland and…
Leadership Douglas County’s class of 2026 celebrated graduation at the Schoolhouse at Mainstreet in Parker on June 3. The Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lori Gerlits was the emcee, LDC 2024-2025 graduate and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Deborah Takahara was the keynote speaker, and Douglas County Community Foundation Executive…
Are you looking for an impactful way to give back in your community? Is creative writing or research your thing? The Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF) is looking for someone passionate about community service who is a skilled writer and researcher to join their team as a grant writer. This position is volunteer/unpaid. DCCF provides…
On any given day, you are likely to see Stephanie Thaggard Tanner with her husband, Rob, walking through The Village at Castle Pines (the Village). Each day, they explore seven or eight miles of the lush, tree-filled community they love to call home. Stephanie is passionate about this community and as such has become heavily…
For Chad and Chris Spears, life in the Timberline neighborhood is a blend of community connection, fitness and the joyful chaos of raising three young children. Since building their house in 2021, the family has quickly made themselves at home, enjoying the privacy of their surroundings, while appreciating the convenient access to nearby amenities in…
Five years ago, we reported on Hidden Pointe neighbor Autumn Hall and her Olympic figure skating dreams. Now a senior at Rock Canyon High School, Autumn is still ice skating and a U.S. Figure Skating Double Gold Medalist, and in June, she represented Castle Pines in the Miss Colorado’s Teen pageant. Looking back over…
“It’s so much fun to be able to learn something new, to pick up something you have always wanted to do.” If you live in the Jasper Point neighborhood, you might know Forrest Plesko as a family man, local attorney or perhaps a musician. Lately, there is a chance you have heard a new sound.…
Lauren Shadid had an idyllic childhood growing up in her neighborhood near Cherry Creek State Park. After nine years in Washington, D.C., and 20 years in Los Angeles, Lauren longed to return to Colorado. Owner and Principal of Lauren Architecture + Interiors for more than 20 years, Lauren and her husband, Gabe, owner of Epic…
“Knowing what your loved ones want at the end of life is empowering and the best gift you can give to people who love and support you.” Sometimes, grief can push us to discover new gifts within ourselves. Through the painful process of becoming a widow 12 years ago, massage therapist Leanna Whitcher learned how…
Night Lights (NL), a local nonprofit, provides respite care for children who have special needs and their neuro-typical siblings. This year, NL celebrates 15 years with six location sites: Parker, Littleton, Colorado Springs, Arvada, Broomfield and Grand Junction. The organization aims to open a Castle Pines or Castle Rock site by January 2027. “I would…
During the 1960s and 70s, the Vietnam War and subsequent skirmishes abroad shook America’s confidence in its government and politicians. That same internal dissent abroad brought down the Soviet Union as a wave of freedom swept over Europe with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Our national glory shifted to technology with…
This 5th segment of Colorado’s official symbols and emblems looks at the official state animal: the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep; the official state bird: the lark bunting; and the official state domestic pet: cats and dogs that are adopted from Colorado rescues and animal shelters. In 1961, the Colorado General Assembly adopted the Rocky Mountain…
Paisley is an energetic 3-year-old black and tan Pembroke Welsh corgi with spirits as high as she can jump. Her bold and confident personality makes up for her small and sturdy frame. Corgis are not a new breed to Paisley’s family, Richard and Julie Storick, of the Esperanza neighborhood. Paisley is the first female…
A certain unexpected neighbor created a buzz on social media recently. The Village at Castle Pines resident Michael Shorts posted the above photo of a beaver in Sellars Gulch, just upstream from Festival Park in Castle Rock. Many neighbors were surprised the furry critters could be spotted so close to home, starting a conversation about…
The City of Castle Pines has no events planned for Independence Day, but several nearby communities do. Many of them have free admission, although some require registration, so check websites for details. Several Colorado venues now present drone or laser light shows, to avoid potential wildfire risks, but the events listed here that include shows…
Celebrating 40 years of memories, The Country Club at Castle Pines honored this milestone with an unforgettable party on Saturday, June 13. The event included a progressive dining experience, complete with beautiful ice carvings and sparkling decorations. Throughout the clubhouse, there were chef-curated food and drink stations. Country artist Adam Doleac performed live. Board of…
Dear Readers, It’s an exciting time in our country and our state. We are celebrating the sesquicentennial (150 years) of Colorado, and the semiquincentennial (250 years) of the United States of America. It is the perfect time to revisit flag etiquette, especially regarding our beloved Stars and Stripes. The United States Flag Code hasn’t changed…
Colorado Day is Saturday, August 1, the date the state entered the union in 1876. This year is special as it marks Colorado’s 150th birthday. Events and celebrations for this milestone day and year are happening across the state. Here are some: Castle Rock At Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 Plum Creek Parkway, celebrate with…
Summer brings heat, and with it water for cooling down. Transporting the reader to another time, place or circumstance, beach reads are the perfect remedy for hot lazy days by the pool or seaside. Grab a paperback and get lost in a summer romance, thriller or the latest must-read. Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein is…
At last census, Westcreek, an unincorporated community in Douglas County, had about 120 citizens. Nestled along Colorado State Highway 67, a scenic drive connecting Woodland Park and Sedalia, Westcreek paradoxically accounted for two Colorado governors: Elias M. Ammons and later his son. What prepared Elias for greatness? The Ammons were pioneers relocating from Franklin, North…
Number-Path Puzzle By Susan Helton Fill in the white squares with the missing numbers, in numerical order 1 to 81, to form a single continuous path that does not cross itself and never runs diagonally. Patriotic Crossword By Rachel Poe Across 3. Last word of the title of the national march 5. National…
High summer is here, and an abundance of beautiful, fresh fruit—colorful, juicy, and tempting—is everywhere. Most of the time, I’ll take a treat that is rich and chocolatey over just about anything, but at the tail end of summer I will take a dewy bunch of grapes or berries over a hot fudge sundae…
“Muscle is the currency of longevity, so I highly recommend patients who are trying to keep and build muscle mass to add creatine to their routine.” Creatine is having a moment in women’s wellness. While it has long been known to be in the protein shakes of athletes and bodybuilders, creatine presents a promising…
Super Bowl: First-time, all-girls NFL flag league: Information and photos provided by Castle Pines Athletics
The Colorado Department of Education recognized several Douglas County School District schools for high academic achievement with performance awards for the 2025-26 school year. Administrators from winning schools accepted their awards at the State of Douglas County School District event on May 4. Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) received the High School Academic Growth Award,…
Students at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) hosted an end-of-school-year food drive for nonprofit Bin Blessed (BB). It was a record-breaking drive for BB, bringing in more than 2,300 items. It took five carloads to deliver all the shelf-stable food items, including cereal, peanut butter, jelly, pasta sauce and more than 300 boxes of mac-n-cheese. Each…
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) School Resource Officers (SROs) not only play a vital role in creating a safe learning environment, they are also approachable mentors who participate in youth activities. DCSO’s rock decorating contest continued the collaboration into summer, inviting first through eighth grade students across Douglas County to submit rocks decorated to celebrate…
Bringing Italy to Colorado, one scoop at a time There are few pleasures as simple and satisfying as a scoop of something cold, creamy and sweet. While ice cream may be the familiar favorite, gelato offers a rich, indulgent experience. In Colorado, that authentic taste of Italy can be found at Gelato & Co., where…
“Wine is bottled poetry,” said famed writer Robert Louis Stevenson. Family man, The Canyons resident and wine connoisseur Mark Rizzuto agrees. Talking with Mark about wine is an education. He has a self-taught PhD in grape varieties, wine regions, aromas, food pairings, the different palettes for red, white or sparkling–– and basically anything and everything…
Under Construction: The Peaks at Canyons The Peaks at Canyons will consist of 70 single-family attached townhomes for rent. The project is a combination of three-plex, four-plex, and five-plex buildings, totaling 18 buildings, along with associated drive aisles, guest parking, sidewalks and landscaping. The individual units will include two-bedroom and three-bedroom residences. The Album The…
The City of Castle Pines Council (City) recently passed a new ordinance that imposes new rules and regulations about the use of off-highway vehicles like electric dirt bikes, ATVs and UTVs. The goal is to help keep riders, drivers, pedestrians and neighbors safe. In collaboration with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), the rules were…
Dogs in Douglas County have a new reason to wag their tails. The newly opened Looking Glass Community Park, located at 13434 Long Rider Street in Parker, is quickly becoming a favorite gathering place for pets and people alike. In close proximity to Chambers Road and Spirit Trail Boulevard, the nearly 26-acre park features a…
Ballots for the June 30 primary election will be mailed to eligible voters in Douglas County beginning on Monday, June 8. This day is also the last day for voters who are affiliated with a political party to change or withdraw their affiliation if they wish to vote in a different party’s primary. To learn…
The spring National Prescription Drug Take Back Day was a great success. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Douglas County Health Department, collected 1,148 pounds of unwanted, unused and expired medications. Other agencies who helped facilitate the event, which happened in two locations, were the City of Castle Pines and the Castle Pines…
Do you want connection, purpose and to be more vested in your community? We are looking for creative and motivated writers to join our team at The Castle Pines Connection. To be successful, you must be able to conduct interviews, follow writing guidelines and deadlines, and possess excellent written and verbal skills. An exceptional freelance…
The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce is built on a simple but powerful mission: connect, engage and thrive. For nearly 20 years, the Chamber has supported local businesses and community leaders by creating opportunities to build relationships, share ideas and strengthen the Castle Pines business community. One of the Chamber’s most valuable membership benefits is…
Family, work, play, sports and laughter are what the Jaeger family is all about. And it all began in North Dakota. Michelle and Paul Jaeger’s roots trace back hundreds of miles to Minot, North Dakota. Though growing up in the same hometown and attending the same schools, their story together did not start until crossing…
Travel agent Michelle Kazin met her husband, Bryan, in high school, even though she went to Littleton High School and he attended Regis Jesuit High School. The sweethearts dated through college; Michelle attended the University of Northern Colorado, and Bryan, the Colorado School of Mines. The couple married in 2000 and moved to Castle Pines.…
Barbara Martini Goldy knows how to live life to the fullest. This 84-year-old has plans to keep on soaking up every second of every day. A New York native, Barbara began her career in television. She and husband, Bill, who was a professional baseball player for the Minnesota Twins, moved to Colorado in 1970, living…
Sara Smith moved to Colorado in 2012 with her family and is a senior vice president at HCA Healthcare, the largest private operator of hospitals in America. In her role, Sara stated that she works with communications and marketing teams to advance patient care through expanded services and planning, to build the future of care…
When Robert Tait talks about success, he rarely starts with real estate; although he could. The Castle Pines resident launched Downing Street Group, a subsidiary of Engel & Völkers and has grown it into the company’s top-performing Denver team since 2020. Robert consistently ranks among the top 1% of Colorado agents in both sales volume…
Gathering the morning of prom night has become its own tradition. Girls meet for brunch, spend the day together enjoying each other’s company, while taking photos in cute pajamas. “The girls love it,” said Amber Ridge resident Marnie Blanco, mother of recent Rock Canyon High School graduate Gianna. “I think they like it more than…
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has declared 2026, the 50th anniversary of the reintroduction of otters to Colorado waterways, to be the Otter Y.E.A.R. (Yearlong Engagement and Assessment of River Otters). North American river otters, also called northern river otters or Canadian otters, were once common throughout the United States and Canada. Early European settlers…
In the wild, Syrian hamsters are one of the rarest hamster species. Native to the deserts of Syria, they were almost hunted to extinction in the 1920s. Today, the Syrian hamster, also known as golden or teddy bear hamsters, are a popular household pet. The Jubenville family—Ashley, Ben, Sadie (7) and Micah (11)—of the Esparanza…
Experiencing muscular economic growth, the United States came late into World War I in 1917, after German submarines began sinking our merchant ships. We joined the allied powers of France, Great Britain, Italy and Russia pitted against axis nations of Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. Despite casualties, America emerged stronger than ever. At war’s…
Recognizing 150 years of Colorado statehood, this segment of Colorado’s official symbols and emblems looks at some water-loving creatures that are official state symbols. The state amphibian is the western tiger salamander; the state fish is the greenback cutthroat trout; and the state reptile is the western painted turtle. Supported by students from multiple Colorado…
There was no shortage of hats, horses or heart at Mini Derby, the sixth annual fundraiser benefiting Mile High Rescue, Robin’s Nest Foundation and Tall Tales Ranch. Held at Sky View Farm in Castle Rock on May 2, an estimated 250 guests turned out for the event, raising an impressive $50,000. The Mini Derby experience…
Once again, the women of Douglas County made a strong showing at The Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ Hattitude, an annual fundraising event dedicated to elevating women playwrights and directors and expanding opportunities for women artists and storytellers. Douglas County Community Foundation Executive Director Kirsten Swanson and The Village at Castle Pines resident Priscilla…
Just to our north, near I-25 and Dry Creek Road, sits the international headquarters for Project C.U.R.E. (Commission on Urgent Relief and Equipment). Its warehouse is full of donated medical supplies and equipment which are sorted, prepared into cargo containers and shipped to more than 135 countries around the world. The nonprofit’s headquarters has remained…
Douglas County is chock-full of Hiers. The family came early in our history and in force. So much so that there was a time when brothers Bob and Ed Hier felt that they knew 80% of the people in the county and that half of them were relatives. Cousin Bill once joked, “One year,…
National Social Media Day is June 30. Organized to recognize how social media has shaped how we interact, shop and receive information online, it was first observed in 2010. Despite the celebration’s focus on the positive ways social media brings us together, time has shown its effect is not always so benign. Dip into one…
It is time to clean out your closets for a good cause. The Village Castle Pines Garden Club (Garden Club) is hosting a donation drive to benefit the Help & Hope Center (H&H) on Saturday, June 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m at the Village Shops, 850 W. Happy Canyon Road. Volunteers will be…
Dear Reader, Last month we visited about graduation gifts, and I finished my column with “Oh, and I still believe the gift should remain unworn, unopened or unused until the thank you is sent!” And I stand by my sentiment. But I heard from a few of you this month asking what to do if…
iNaturalist is a nonprofit organization with a free app and social network that helps users identify local plants and animals while generating data for science and conservation. Their vision is “a world where everyone can understand and sustain biodiversity through the practice of observing wild organisms and sharing information about them.” Anyone can upload their…
Need a gift for the dad who has everything? Or looking for a way to honor and remember a special man in your life? Try these crafts to upcycle old ties into something new. Tie wreath Supplies: Two ties, metal ring, electric tape. Pick out two ties. They can be matching or contrasting but should…
My dad loved a good snack. He didn’t seem to worry much about spoiling his appetite (he said that was something he could always count on coming back), and he was willing to eat nearly everything. Before his passing, I would often try new dishes out for him, knowing that my offerings would be graciously…
What goes around really does come around. For those who remember the footbag or Hacky Sack craze in the 1970s and 80s, you may not be surprised to see teenagers playing the game today. Versions of footbag began centuries ago in China and Japan. In 1972, the American version began in Oregon when two men…
A spray tan is a great option for getting a golden glow without any exposure to skin-damaging, cancer-causing ultraviolet (UV) radiation. As much as being in the sun feels good, we know to wear sunscreen, a hat and clothing that protects our skin. However, “everybody feels better when they have a glow,” explained Tenley Holub,…
The high school co-op boys swim team beat the juggernaut Cherry Creek High School team by .20 (two-tenths of a second) in the 200 Free Relay to win state in that category. The winning team also made an automatic All-American time, All-State first team and All-League first team, which are high honors in the swim…
At the end of each school year, graduating seniors visit their former elementary schools for a celebratory clap out. These visits celebrate their childhood journey to adulthood while inspiring future generations to come. Elementary students and staff from Timber Trail Elementary, Buffalo Ridge Elementary, American Academy (AA) and DCS Montessori lined their respective hallways to…
Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF) joined forces with the Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA) in May to recognize local students and award financial scholarships for their academic achievements, volunteerism and commitment to community involvement. DCCF contributed $32,000 in funding, allowing HRCA to award 13 additional scholarships to local students pursuing higher education opportunities, two of whom…
The Foundation for Douglas County Schools (Foundation) coordinates the Lend A Hand School Supply Drive every summer, with the goal of collecting, purchasing, assembling and distributing backpacks and school supplies to students in need. In its 16th year, the drive helps distribute more than 1,500 backpacks annually. Lend A Hand ensures that every student starting…
What started as a new community garden in early 2025 turned into a greater opportunity for Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) to connect with a larger global movement––Peace Poles. The TTE garden project began as an idea for a school space that would provide students and staff with a peaceful environment to relax, reflect and…
Big songs. Bigger production. Better Experience. Beneath Colorado’s wide-open sky, with beautiful views of mountains behind the stage, Founder and CEO J.W. Roth warmly invites guests “to experience big songs from big artists in a bigger production of live shows packed with energy at Ford Amphitheater.” The premier, luxury open-air concert venue is open…