Read the stories from the latest issue:
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 and 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…
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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…
Dear Mrs. A, Please share a friendly etiquette reminder for the upcoming holiday rush at the post office. -Ms. Manners in Esperanza Dear Ms. Manners, We so fortunate to have the wonderful people who own and operate the post office branch in Castle Pines. I absolutely love going in there, and I am always happy…
Listed below are recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before Thursday, December 25. For items sent to addresses in the contiguous United States (lower 48 states): First-Class mail service: Dec. 17 Ground Advantage service: Dec. 17 Priority Mail service: Dec. 18 Priority Mail Express service: Dec. 20 For items sent to addresses in Alaska and…
Faith, family, and fun fuel Master Police Officer Adrian Mendez. He enjoys time outside hiking, camping, off-roading and riding motorcycles, spending time with his family and taking care of those closest to him and his community. Adrian carries these passions into his work with the Castle Rock Police Department (CRPD). What was once a hobby,…
The American Legion 1187 in Castle Rock held its 38th annual birthday banquet on October 25 at the Bear Dance Golf Club in Larkspur. Tim Dietz—Councilman for The Town of Castle Rock, Navy veteran and member of Post 1187 and VFW Post 12230—was the banquet’s keynote speaker. The event recognized area first responders and law…
5280+ Senior Corales at Parker Advanced Integrative Medicine AdventHealth Castle Rock Alice + Kate Boutique Bakery Alta Empanada Altura Design Build Anderson Farms A Paws for Life AriClean Art & Soul LLC – Holistic Expos Ava Lee – Orchard Real Estate Barrett Rothe Big Life Integrative Health Big O Tires Black + Haus Tavern Blue…
A food pantry that supports military families on Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora saw a large increase in the amount of food leaving its shelves last month. Struggling to keep up with demand, Buckley reached out to Douglas County nonprofit SECOR Cares, who brought its mobile food truck to the base at no cost.…
Kim Becker Advertising Account Manager Kim Becker moved to Castle Pines from Southern California with her husband, daughter and labrador in 2022. They fell in love with the natural beauty and wonderful community and are grateful to call Castle Pines home. Kim graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Psychology.…
You have probably seen claw machines at fairs or entertainment centers, but two Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) families have put them on wheels. Pop Claw, a mobile arcade trailer, rolled into this year’s Castle Pines Fall Festival. “We’re pretty sure it’s the world’s first mobile crane arcade,” said co-owner Jimmy Brown, who runs the…
At a London pub in 1992, Ben Lockett, a captain and tank commander in the British Army, first met Kim. After graduating from CU Boulder, Kim was traveling around Europe and on a whim, decided to stay in London, getting a visa and a job at The Gap. The two became a couple even as…
Annie Deschane, a Castle Pines native, is a jack-of-all-trades. The 24-year-old mechanical engineer has bounced between sports, marching band and scientific pursuits since she was a kid growing up in the Bristlecone neighborhood. From early on, Annie skied, swam with the Castle Crocs Swim Team and played soccer; but her childhood passion lay with tennis,…
As a 6-year-old boy, Willie Daniels often found himself gazing upward at the expanse of the sky with a dream of becoming an astronaut. But as it goes for many people, life had other plans, and Willie’s dreams shifted from exploring space in a rocket ship to flying the friendly skies in an airplane. Captain…
On October 22, the City of Castle Pines held its twice-yearly New Resident Welcome Party at The Ridge at Castle Pines. Roughly 40 new residents gathered to learn more about the city, the business community, the chamber and their local newspaper – all while enjoying complimentary drinks and refreshments with fellow new neighbors. A few…
The Castle Rock Senior Activity Center (CRSAC) held its 33rd Annual Castle Rock Craft Show Extraordinaire on November 8 at the Event Center at Douglas County Fair Grounds. More than 90 vendors displayed hand-crafted items, such as quilts, jewelry, stained-glass Christmas decor and bedazzled serving utensils. More than 4,800 attendees came ready to fill shopping…
The 5280 Senior Chorales performed their 11th annual fall concert, Good Tidings, to a full house at Parker United Methodist Church on Sunday, November 9. The concert kicked off the group’s holiday season performances for family and friends. The non-auditioned daytime choirs are open to anyone ages 50 to 80+ seeking a fun, challenging and…
Colorado is known for its 300 days of sunshine, which means lots of sunny snow days. Here are some ideas to enjoy a beautiful day outside while making the most of winter’s white precipitation. Snow critters Snowmen are a classic, but there is no need to limit yourself to just one design. Try building a…
Sixteen-week-old Halo is not just a puppy, she is a whirlwind of curiosity and affection wrapped in a shiny, liver-colored coat. For Michelle Donnelly, a Founders Village resident, Halo is more than just a playful German shorthaired pointer (GSP), the pup is a source of comfort and connection after loss. Michelle lost her 5-year-old GSP…
Canyons Community Church 4825 Crowfoot Valley Road, Castle Rock canyonscc.org Hope Lives*: December 20, 4 p.m. Christmas Eve: Candlelight Service, December 24, 4 p.m. Castle Oaks Covenant Church 826 Park Street, Castle Rock castleoaks.org Christmas Sunday: December 21, 10 a.m. Christmas Eve: December 24, 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Castle Rock First United…
In addition to the many customary ways there are to celebrate the holidays in December, we asked residents to share some of their special holiday traditions. Katie said, “The weekend after Thanksgiving, we always cut down our Christmas tree, then go to Bud’s Bar for the best burger around. We have been enjoying this tradition…
There was chatter nationwide last month about the aurora borealis, the northern lights, which were visible in some of the lower 48 states on the night of November 11, an exceedingly rare occurrence. Colorado was one of the lucky states and some viewers away from big city lights could see the majestic magenta and green…
Parker is an appealing Front Range bedroom community with an Old West flavor. The town is vastly different from its beginnings when it was a bullwhackers’ haven, a mere stopping point for drivers of oxen from here to there. Alfred Butters had an inkling then, a notion of service, how to grow the town and…
Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) have become a staple of modern holiday décor. Native to Mexico and Central America, poinsettias are a flowering plant, though not in the way you might think. The brightly colored parts are not flower petals, but rather modified leaves or “bracts.” The flowers are the small yellow bits in the center of…
December is often when “best of the year” lists are compiled. With more than 275,000 books published in the United States in 2025, readers and list-makers alike have options. This year-end list consists of books that generated conversation or buzz. Pick up one or more of the books listed below to join the chats. …
The Forest Park neighborhood hosted its first Holiday Art & Craft Sale on November 15 at the HOA’s club house. Some of the items for sale were hand-crafted oil paintings, carved stonework and macrame as well as baked goods like cookies and caramels. “We had an incredible turnout and no one walked away empty handed,”…
Linsay and Ryan Shirley, residents of The Village at Castle Pines, celebrated atop Pikes Peak on Labor Day after completing their 58th and final Colorado 14er. The Shirleys were surrounded by family and friends who joined them on the summit to cheer them on. Their celebration included a champagne toast, Pikes Peak donuts and chocolate…
In 2025, we featured eleven nonprofits in our Angels Among Us segment. As the year ends, we reflect on each. The hope and strength they provide is miraculous. Extra special thanks to each organization for taking time to visit and allow The Connection to share their inspirational stories. Here’s to continued good in 2026! Be…
In the heart of southeast Denver, sits the imaginative campus of Iliff Preschool, Kindergarten, and School-Age Summer Camp (Iliff). A unique classroom awaits its young learners, grounded in legacy and lifted by dreams, a fabulous playground for children. Every year, 15 wide-eyed kindergarteners step down the ramp of a real DC-7 fuselage (called Charlie 21),…
Baking and cooking can be challenging at elevations 3,000 feet above sea level and higher (like us at 6,000 feet) because of lower air pressure and often drier air. These conditions affect food preparation in two main ways: liquids evaporate faster and boil at lower temperatures, and leavening gases in breads and cakes can expand…
This is it. For home cooks, December is the big show, the one we all train for. As someone once said, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with. One of the things I love best about December is that it gives me a reason to spend hours in…
A well-stocked baking aisle in a grocery store can have such a great variety of alternatives to all-purpose flour that it can be overwhelming. While bakers understand that the type of flour used can make all the difference in the quality and taste of the final product, many of us can find it perplexing. All-purpose,…
The holiday season brings family, festive meals, and…sometimes unexpected plumbing problems. Between extra cooking, house guests and cold weather, December is one of the most common times for sewer backups. Fortunately, a few simple habits can help Castle Pines families keep things flowing smoothly. Many sewer backups start with what goes down the drain. When…
Mushrooms offer a remarkable combination of nutritional, medicinal and environmental benefits. There are a multitude of mushroom varieties, each with unique characteristics, but all edible mushrooms offer a distinctive umami to dishes. Umami is often considered the fifth basic taste, along with sweet, sour, salty and bitter. This earthy, savory taste makes mushrooms extremely…
Crossword brought to you by Allstate Insurance — Tammy Lopez (720) 733-1331 Across 1. On the peak of 5. One might like the cut of 8. VCR button 13. Wise guy 14. Spiraled-horned African antelope 15. Italian maritime city 16. Grimm beginning 17. Guinness and others 18. Part of coffee prep 19. God of the…
Students and staff at American Academy – Castle Pines came together on National First Responders Day (NFRD) to show their appreciation for local heroes from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and South Metro Fire Rescue. The school hosted a morning breakfast where first responders were treated to coffee, breakfast burritos and donuts, along with heartfelt…