Read the stories from the latest issue:
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…
In partnership with HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge, DCSD’s Parent University provides training, information, and resources to parents and caregivers that will aid parents in their essential responsibility for influencing children’s lives. By partnering with community organizations and other agencies to equip families with additional skills, knowledge and resources, Parent University supports and empowers parents and…
A bulletin board near the entrance to Rocky Heights Middle School displays clippings from The Connection featuring students and teachers and some of the latest happenings and accomplishments. Article and photo by Rachel Poe
Data released by the Colorado Department of Education shows that Douglas County School District’s (DCSD) on-time, four-year high school graduation rate for 2025 was 93.6%. To compare to statewide numbers last year, Colorado’s four-year graduation rate was 85.6%. The DCSD graduation rate has steadily improved by almost 13% since 2010, when the rate was 83.1%.…
4-H is the nation’s largest youth development program empowering nearly six million young people, ages 5-18, to build confidence and develop leadership and life skills through hands-on learning. Globally, 4-H collaborates with independent programs investing in one million young people in 50 countries. Online enrollment for future members (and adult volunteers) is currently open with…
“We really want to protect the last few years of their childhood.” We all gravitate to our smart phones. It is safe to say that if we go anywhere, anytime, we will find people of any age looking down, locked to their phones. It is the age we live in. But is it healthy? That…
Get fired up! It’s not just a meal, it’s an experience Mount Fuji, also known as Fujisan, is the tallest mountain in Japan and a sacred site deeply revered by the Japanese people. Recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee as a “sacred place and source of artistic inspiration,” Mount Fuji has been an object…
Stretch to align, breathe in energy What if your workout studio felt like a true community—one built on encouragement, respect and a shared commitment to strength and well-being? According to owner Robin Tuck, that is exactly what members discover at Studio Pilates Castle Pines. Pilates is a mind-body exercise method developed in the early 20th…
Many dream, but few dare to buy a 24-foot RV and hit the road for a trip of a lifetime. HOA2 residents Peter and Geri Cline started with a list of family and friends they wanted to visit, who live all over the country. Over the course of nearly three months, they traveled to meet…
Periodically, The Connection receives inquiries about development updates in the City of Castle Pines, often times on projects that we have covered in one capacity or another. In 2023, the City of Castle Pines launched its Development Activity Map (DAP), an online tool allowing citizens to keep track of ongoing and proposed development projects. The…
The Crystal Valley Parkway and I-25 interchange is not yet complete, but an important milestone has been reached with the opening of the Crystal Valley Parkway bridge and Dawson Trails Boulevard. The bridge connects to the boulevard via an intersection with traffic signals. The full interchange is expected to be completed in 2027. Dawson Trails…
Some Douglas County residents will soon be able to take advantage of expanded internet service. Google Fiber (GFiber) is a fiber broadband internet service that serves households in 19 states, including Colorado. The company is adding service areas in unincorporated Douglas County, starting in Highlands Ranch. “GFiber’s goal in Douglas County is to provide expanded…
The single-lane roundabout on Monarch Boulevard and Buffalo Trail is complete as part of the City of Castle Pines 2025 Road Solutions project. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), roundabouts reduce severe crashes at intersections by 80%. Here are some guidelines from the Colorado Department of Transportation and FHA on how to safely…
A new nonprofit focused on promoting the arts and culture in Castle Rock has officially launched and is kicking things off with a community logo design contest. The Castle Rock Art and Culture Foundation (CRA), formed in fall 2025, invites residents to help shape its visual identity by submitting original logo designs that reflect creativity,…
Three entrepreneurs have come together to create a unique business in the hat- making industry. The company, Harvey Martin (HM), is a mobile store: the owners come to an event, meet with customers to understand their personal styles and desires and then tailor hats on site. HM’s tagline is “custom hats designed with you.”…
On November 21, the Parker Water & Sanitation District (PWSD) held an opening ceremony for the exhibition “Thriving Through Time: Adaptation on the Palmer Divide,” the largest display of Douglas County artifacts to date. From tools used by early indigenous communities to Industrial Revolution-era machinery, the artifacts tell the story of adaptation and innovation across…
The Connection team gathered at the beautiful The Brinkerhoff steakhouse in Castle Rock last month to celebrate friendship, hard work and meaningful milestones. The start of 2026 marks the beginning of The Castle Pines -Connection’s 17th year of delivering “a little good news” to the Castle Pines community. Staff members Nancy Koontz and Krysta Parr…
To recycle your Christmas tree, drop-off dates are December 26 through January 31 at the following Castle Rock locations: Founders Park, 4671 Enderud Blvd. Metzler Ranch Community Park, 4175 Trail Boss Drive Paintbrush Park, 3492 Meadows Blvd. Fairgrounds Regional Park, 500 Fairgrounds Drive Please remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, garland, plastic wrap, tree stands, wire,…
Olivia Wilson (22) has a shared a passion for science and dance. Her family moved from Naperville, Illinois to the King’s Crossing neighborhood when Olivia was 14, just in time for her to start her freshman year at Rock Canyon High School. Olivia already loved skiing, so assimilating with the local culture was easier than…
Becky Peterson is enjoying empty nesting at her Hidden Pointe home with travel, taking Pilates, teaching it, and working in the arts. Growing up in Barstow, California, Becky went to UC Santa Barbara and majored in dance and theater production. After high school, she took a gap year as an exchange student living in New…
Local legend Dennis Murray, 25-year resident of Pine Ridge, passed away at his home on November 7 at the age of 73. Dennis was best known locally as the golf pro at The Ridge at Castle Pines, where he coached for 14 years, but was also known as a friend to all. Dennis’s four loves…
Sponsored by: Allstate Insurance — Tammy Lopez (720) 733-1331 Across 1. Amazes 5. Apportioned 9. Shelves of knowledge 10. Camp shelter 11. Throw, as dice 13. Reply to a captain 14. Spanish aunt 15. Furry foot 16. Environmental prefix 17. Winter blanket 19. Timeline divisions 20. Weather-related 23. Productiveness 24. Bad day for Caesar Down…
Off the court, 17-year-old Logan Cary is sunshine and smiles. On the court, she is a force to be reckoned with. A senior and team captain of the Lady Jaguars at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS), Logan has made a name for herself as a volleyball player. She intends to build on that success with…
With a roll of the dice, a neighborhood bunco group provided a chance connection for three Castle Pines women. Once known to each other by first name only, these Knightsbridge ladies are three of five women leading the new Denver chapter of Empowering Women as Leaders (EWL): Brenda Ferguson, president; Colleen Norwine, STAR program director and…
Four seniors at Rock Canyon High School held a winter clothing drive for the nonprofit Jesus on Colfax, whose vision is to help those in “poverty of soul and circumstances.” “We were looking for ways to connect with the community and to help those in need of clothing, outerwear, underwear and toiletries,” stated Lauren Scott.…
Welcome to our re-branded column, formerly Dear Mrs. A, where I’ll be your guide to style, etiquette and entertaining! We’ll be here giving advice for the cultured and curious. In our little corner of Colorado, the air is a little bit thinner, the light is a little bit brighter, and life is just a bit…
Travelers driving into Colorado are greeted at the borders by the state’s signature “Welcome to Colorful Colorado” signs. These large wooden signs have welcomed visitors to the state for more than 60 years and have been featured in countless vacation photos. Since the 1950s, the rustic signs have offered their good, old-fashioned hospitality. The signs…
The Castle Pines Connection has teamed up with local businesses to bring you the thirteenth annual Cutest Pet in the Pines contest. We invite you to share your digitally-captured pet adventures with us. Send in ONE favorite recent photo (per pet) by January 15 for a chance to win great prizes and have your pet…
Minnie Musso, a Village at Castle Pines resident and Rock Canyon High School sophomore, recently organized a service project to make items for the local animal shelter. Minnie and her team collected and crafted about 10 fleece dog blankets and nearly 20 cardboard cat scratchers for the Humane Colorado (formerly the Dumb Friends League) animal…
Pine Grove simmered early rather than grew. A mere transit point, freighting and lumber processing at Gomer and Foster’s Running Creek sawmill were its early sparks. George and Mary Long, whose vision was pivotal and would over time become the fulcrum of Parker history, lived nearby. From our coverage last month, recall that the…
January: a month for recovering from the holiday bustle, possibly making resolutions and looking forward to the three-day weekend honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Here are some other interesting tidbits about this frosty month: Did you know that 45 B.C. was the first year in history that New Year’s Day was celebrated on January…
The Castle Pines community rang in the holiday season during the first two weeks of December with the annual Winter Wonderland festivities, organized by the City and Chamber and hosted at the Ridge. With the snowy season off to a slow start, Jack Frost brought some much-needed winter weather just in time for the Tree…
As the hubbub of the holidays fades this month, many turn to tackle the mess of modern life. This month’s books aim to help get organized. Whether your mind, space or inbox are feeling cluttered and disorganized, pick a book to help create calm in the chaos. The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living…
For 40 years, the Crisis Center has been a beacon of hope, providing shelter, therapy, advocacy, and healing to countless domestic violence survivors and their families. Over the decades, the organization has evolved and recently launched a new brand identity to reflect the growth of its mission and expanding ways it serves our community. The…
On December 6, Legacy Village of Castle Pines residents enjoyed the hour-long concert called “Good Tidings” performed by the 5280+ Senior Chorales. The choir sang seasonal songs and ended with cheerful favorite “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Among the performers was Legacy Village resident Jerry Dilley doing what he loves most, singing. Jerry’s love…
January is always exciting. A whole new year, just waiting to be filled with adventures, relationships, and yes, delicious food. I like to think of January as the year’s staging area—a strong start in January sets a good tone for the 11 months that follow it; so nourishment is key. For quite a number of…
January can be a time of excitement about the upcoming year, but for some, the post-holiday period, cooler weather, and shorter daylight hours can result in the winter blues. Dash the blues with the suggestions below. Devon Nelson, Family Nurse Practitioner at Big Life Integrative Health, stated, “Vitamin D is a great mood booster during the…
During the holiday season, the significant support needs (SSN) classroom at Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) was filled with holiday spirit as students welcomed a very special guest, Denver Broncos tight end Evan Engram, along with his wife Emily. The couple spent the afternoon decorating Christmas cookies and graham cracker houses with students, marking the first…
Rock Canyon High School cheerleaders and dance teams had a lot to celebrate last month. Varsity dance team and JV cheerleading both took the state title for the 24-25 season, each for the third straight year. Varsity cheerleaders and JV dance team both won state runner-up. The teams competed at state competitions held at the…
In December, Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) and DCS Montessori (DCSM) sponsored spirit week fundraisers to support the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) Shop with a Cop community outreach program. In its 22nd year, Shop with a Cop pairs local sheriff deputies with children facing financial hardship to go shopping to buy holiday gifts for the…
American Academy delivered bundles of cheer to kids and families during the holiday season. The school-wide toy drive benefited A Precious Child (APC), a nonprofit that supports children and families facing poverty, abuse and crisis. Middle school students donated gifts for APC preschool-aged children, while younger classes shopped for their own grade levels. The…
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…