Read the stories from the latest issue:
In a quiet valley in Sedalia, Happy Dog Ranch (HDR) sits on 117 acres along Jarre Creek, a preservation of old western Colorado. A nonprofit run by Bernadette and John Spillane, HDR has structures dating back to the 1880s and a long history as a brewery and stable. But the true heart of the…
As the seasons change, so do yard work needs. You can take your leaves to Douglas County’s fall leaf collection site, located at 1400 Caprice Drive in Castle Rock. The collection site is open for three Saturdays in November from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: November 1, November 8 and November 15. Leaves can be…
October 23 marked a major step forward in fundraising toward the planned Heroes Hall in Castle Rock, thanks to a $100,000 founding donation on behalf of the Aloha Fund, a private, locally owned philanthropic fund that supports nonprofits in Castle Rock and throughout Douglas County. The inspiration for Aloha Fund Founder, Hilleary Everist, was her…
In September, the Douglas County Opioid Council (DCOC) launched a public awareness campaign designed to reduce stigma and strengthen community awareness about opioid use. “As a longtime Castle Rock resident, it was important to me that this prevention and awareness campaign be informed by people in recovery,” said Savannah Putman, DCOC member and director of grants…
The online pre-sale has begun for native and adaptive plants through the Douglas County Conservation District (Douglas Conserves). Plants from seedling evergreen trees to hardy fruiting trees from local nurseries will be available for purchase. Plants ordered will be available for pickup in spring 2026 (date TBD) from the Douglas County Fairgrounds. There will be…
South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) recently partnered with AdventHealth in a prehospital blood program, the first in the Denver metro area and one of the few in the country. This groundbreaking collaboration puts two units of O-negative blood with SMFR and supervisors of emergency medical services (EMS), allowing these first responders to begin blood transfusions…
In early September, the social committee of the Castle Pines North II HOA installed a new outdoor book-sharing box. The committee members, Rachel Slade (chair), Sally Bowman, Delta Stein, Lisa Lane and Karen Kennedy, added the little white community library just outside the gated entry for the HOA pool at the corner of Brambleridge Lane…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) has rolled out a new program to help ensure that interactions with law enforcement are safe, clear and respectful for everyone at a traffic stop, including those with a disability or who may need additional assistance. The Blue Envelope Program officially launched on October 1. It is designed to…
There is an evolution in health care where different medical systems are combined for the overall wellness of a person, managed over time by one clinician. Meet health care expert and nurse practitioner Paige Nielsen-Mayer, who recently launched her practice, Renegade Regenerative Health, at 7505 Village Square Drive. “I am offering a different level…
Babies and children grow quickly; it is never too soon to start preparing for their education. Money invested in a 529 educational savings plan grows tax-free to use on approved expenses like tuition, room and board, laptops, printers and more – helping to make the most of your hard-earned money. 529s can even be used…
Mathnasium of Castle Pines, located at 7280 Lagae Road, officially opened its doors with a grand opening ribbon cutting celebration held in October with the Castle Pines Chamber. Mathnasium is a learning center that provides math-only tutoring and instruction for students from pre-kindergarten through high school. Using the proprietary Mathnasium Method™, the center focuses on…
For more than a decade, the E Guide has been the colorful magazine insert in The Connection newspaper that showcases restaurants and events in and around the community. Beginning this month, there will be a new addition to the E Guide…exercise. What began in 2015 as The Connection Food & Dining Guide evolved into the…
Dr. Andrew “Andy” Warren is an entomologist, but more specifically a lepidopterist, a butterfly and moth expert. He discovered a new genus of moth in 2023 by the shack at the East/West Regional Trail off of Monarch Boulevard. Last summer, Andy’s paper on this moth was published by the Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society and…
Vacquero resident Ken Williams has been a painter since he was 6 years old. Ken and his high school sweetheart, Dayna, moved to Castle Pines in 2003. Father to Taylor and Trevor, Ken is now a grandfather to Taylor’s toddler, Kane (3). While Ken’s job is managing a brokerage firm, he is an avid artist…
In honor of Veterans Day this month, we recognize the Colorado Veterans Project (CVP). Founded in 2014, CVP is a nonprofit which strives to build a community and network of support for Colorado veterans’ transition from active duty into civilian employment. CVP recognizes that this transition can be one of the biggest challenges a veteran…
November 11 is Veterans Day, a day to thank and celebrate all who have served honorably in our armed forces, both in wartime and in peacetime. The holiday acknowledges and expresses appreciation for those individuals’ contributions and underscores that all those who served have sacrificed for our national security, not only those who died. When…
Bin Blessed (BB) celebrated its 10th anniversary on September 25 at the home of Deni Schwartzel in The Village at Castle Pines. BB is a grassroots organization founded by Cy DeBoer to support There With Care, a nonprofit that brings essential items to families whose children are in critical care. BB’s volunteer network, which has…
Dear Mrs. A., Kindly give us a refresher on Veterans Day coming up on November 11. – Holly in HOA1 Dear Holly, Thank you for this thoughtful inquiry. Let’s start with a quick reminder on the distinction of Veterans Day. Veterans Day is a fixed holiday and always falls on November 11, the date of…
Douglas County’s explosive residential boom notwithstanding, ours is still a county of sprawling ranches and open spaces. Driving down Highways 105 and 83, herds of cattle can be seen grazing and moving about serenely. However, when it is time to move those cattle to another pasture or round them up, the key to everything is…
Speakeasies arrived on the scene with the ban of alcohol during the Prohibition period,1920-1933. Originally created as secret and often underground places to buy illicit alcohol and socialize on the sly, people whispered or spoke softly to keep things quiet, hence the name. Speakeasies may be nearly impossible to find or merely hiding in plain…
Since 1993, excited hearts and eager hands have had the joy of unwrapping shoeboxes that were sent across the country and the world, just for them. The boxes are packed full of goodies they need, want and are delighted to receive. Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational Christian nonprofit organization that provides spiritual and physical aid…
In the cozy Serena neighborhood home of Mike, Brenna and 5-month-old Sylvie Fudjack, lives Iris, a lovable, one-of-a-kind pup. A mix of German shepherd, poodle and golden retriever, Iris brings together the best traits of all three breeds to her family. Iris has a soft and wavy, low-shed, apricot-colored coat, slightly pointed ears and the…
Water is the lifeblood of civilization. Responsibly managed with a rational long-term outlook, it has been of singular importance in the development of our western states. When first observing the waters of our Cherry Creek, it is hard to see anything other than a seemingly shallow, meandering muddy stream. Looks deceive. Though not remotely measuring…
On October 4, the Village Castle Pines Garden Club (Garden Club) held a donation drive for Backpack Society (BS), whose mission is to remove food insecurity from children in school districts in Douglas County, Littleton and Englewood. Led by Garden Club community outreach committee chair Mary Murray, the drive took place at the King Soopers…
Douglas Land Conservancy (DLC) hosted its annual Under a Wild Sky fundraiser on Saturday, September 20, at the historic Beeman-Duncan Ranch in Sedalia. More than 300 guests attended in support of DLC’s mission to protect and steward open space in Douglas County. The evening featured a ranch-style feast catered by Wide Open Saloon, a dessert…
Ryan (8) and Evan (6) Jacobs, two brothers from the Green Briar neighborhood and students at Timber Trail Elementary (TTE), have turned their love of nature into a small business, In Your Own Backyard. The boys hand make and sell bird feeders, do-it-yourself bird feeder kits, humming bird feeders and bug catching kits. The brothers…
Crossword brought to you by Allstate Insurance — Tammy Lopez (720) 733-1331 Across 1. More wise 6. Nickname for author Kingsolver 10. Looney Tunes corporation 14. Dwelling 15. Petri dish filler 16. Story events 17. Heliotrope (mineral) 19. Working stiff 20. ___ judicata 21. Canine command 22. Layered dish 24. Sharp mountain ridges 26.…
Caleb McNeil, a freshman at Rock Canyon High School, has been hard at work crafting one-of-a-kind textiles in his basement studio. The Village at Castle Pines resident first began making rugs for his business, Rug Ruff, a year and a half ago. Inspired by Dmitrii Suldin, a well-known rug-tufting artist who has amassed hundreds of…
Thanksgiving, the uniquely American holiday, is a traditional time to gather with family and friends, notwithstanding the possibility of difficult interpersonal dynamics. From the first celebration in 1619, the holiday has always been dichotomous: about strife and about appreciation; with relationships at the heart of the holiday. Pick up one of the books in this…
Jim and Nancy Yank’s love story began with a pen and paper, thousands of miles apart from each other. More than five decades later, they are still writing their story together, where they are enjoying retirement just a few minutes from family. “We’re just very happy,” Nancy said with a smile. “We live two miles…
It was a picturesque evening at the Denver Botanic Gardens on Friday, September 26. The Village at Castle Pines residents Kari and Matt Ansay co-hosted a “Garden Gala” to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Treeline Pass (TLP), a nonprofit day program for adults with autism and developmental disabilities. Kari is one of the co-founders of…
Mark your calendars for December 9, Colorado Gives Day (CGD). The Colorado Gives Foundation (CGF) launched CGD in 2010, and since then, Coloradans have raised more than half a billion dollars, including more than $54 million in 2024 alone. This year marks the 50th anniversary of CGF. While the recognized “big day” is in December,…
One of the things I love about November is that it is filled with nostalgia. I love the chilly temperatures, the seasonal decorations, the falling leaves and the gatherings of friends and loved ones. Longtime readers of this column will also know I have an ongoing love-hate relationship with pie. Yes, pie. I love to…
Making homemade sourdough bread is not new, but enthusiasm blossomed during the pandemic and the trend continues to be popular today. A sourdough starter is a combination of flour and water that is “fed” over time, generating wild yeast from the air to develop beneficial lactic acid bacteria to give rise and fermentation. Feeding means…
Men from The Village at Castle Pines 4.0 tennis team, plus a few extra friends, enjoyed a day of tennis, golf and good times for the “sacred” honor of hoisting The Castle Cup trophy. The annual event took place on Saturday, September 27, at Lone Tree Golf Club. First up was tennis, formatted in three rounds…
In quiet rooms that feel more like a wellness retreat than a medical office, a new form of therapy is changing lives. In the last five to six years, intravenous (IV) ketamine, once primarily used as an anesthetic, has been embraced by some as an intervention technique for people struggling with anxiety, addiction, post-traumatic stress…
August meant back to school, and The Castle Pines Connection partnered with local businesses, nonprofits and neighbors to help teachers from our six community feeder schools to Complete the Classroom through financial support and classroom supplies. We received very compelling nominations from the community and are pleased to congratulate the following teachers for being selected:…
Nicole Boyer, fifth grade teacher at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE), went above and beyond with her class this fall when she ran the PACER test with them. PACER stands for “Progressive, Aerobic, Cardiovascular, Endurance, Run.” It is a fitness assessment done in the fall and spring for fourth and fifth grades. Students run 20-meter shuttles,…
The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) girls flag football team, led by Coach Jerome Price, wrapped up an impressive season this fall with a 10-5 record, earning the 10th seed in the playoff competition. This is only the third team at RCHS since flag football was added to high school sports programs in Colorado and…
Vibrant Culture Meets Elevated Dining With stunning mountain views and the rich colors of fall, The Brinkerhoff offers one of Castle Rock’s most picturesque dining backdrops. Located at 6373 Promenade Parkway, this modern interpretation of the classic American steakhouse invites guests to experience warmth, elegance and connection, all steeped in family history and timeless…
Ryan and Lindsey Gertzs’ story, filled with kids, pets, family camping trips and so much more, began on the CU Boulder campus 24 years ago. Lindsey, a communications major, met Ryan, a flight instructor studying finance, and the two have been together since. Both Lindsey and Ryan grew up in California, northern and southern respectively,…
On September 3, officials from the City of Castle Pines and Planning Commission joined Life Time representatives for the groundbreaking of the new 102,000 square-foot athletic resort in The Canyons neighborhood. This is the largest commercial development within the 2-million-square-foot commercial area zoned for future business in The Canyons neighborhood. Life Time will be located…
A safe space. It sounds simple, but when someone is in a place where he or she cannot close their eyes at night to sleep without fear of abuse, safety is life altering. It is a new beginning. On August 27, Douglas County leaders, law enforcement and community partners joined with the nonprofit TESSA…
To provide a safe, convenient and responsible way for citizens to dispose of prescription medication that is no longer needed, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) holds two National Prescription Drug Take Back Days each year: one in the spring and one in the fall. This fall it is on Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m.…
The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) recognized Castle Pines City Manager Michael Penny with its Distinguished Service Award (DSA) at the annual DRCOG awards celebration. The event, themed “Innovate, Collaborate, Elevate,” marked DRCOG’s 70th anniversary as the region’s metropolitan planning organization. The DSA honors individuals who have contributed to the success of DRCOG programs…
Ballots for the upcoming Coordinated Election on Tuesday, November 4 will be mailed to all eligible voters in Douglas County beginning on Friday, October 10. Follow the checklist below to make sure you are election-ready: Visit Colorado’s secure, statewide voter registration database, GoVoteColorado.gov to register to vote, check your voter registration status, select your political…
When Melissa Finkelstein opened the doors to Power Mixx Fitness in the Village Shops five years ago, she was not just launching a second location in the south Denver Metro area; she was continuing to build on her commitment to creating an inclusive fitness studio where everyone feels welcome. “I want people to step…
Someone once said, “Failure is for learning.” There are no better lessons than those learned the hard way. Consider The Village at Castle Pines neighbor Carl. His story is consistent with the credo of Alcoholics Anonymous, one of love and service. For 17 of his 40 years in recovery, Carl has been involved in corrections,…
Sam Isert flies a Cessna 172 plane while in training to be a pilot. His dream job is to fly for Hawaiian Airlines. Sam Isert—swimmer, skier, hiker and mountain biker—grew up doing everything he could on land and water. Now, the 24-year-old pilot-in-training plans to conquer a third element as he takes to the sky.…
A vibrant sense of community is one characteristic that sets Castle Pines––the 80108 ZIP code more specifically––apart from other Colorado communities. Neighbors know each other, they spend time together and they support each other. If you are a new resident, you have likely already experienced this firsthand. The same holds true for our friendly business…
Every two years, The Castle Pines Connection publishes the Neighborhood Directory for The Village at Castle Pines. No, it is not yet time for the 2026-2028 directory, but it is time to show some additional love to the businesses that make the directory possible. Included in the back of the book is a list of…
Brenda Erickson underscores that she is a private person. But the 82-year-old lady has had an adventurous life. She and her late husband, Hyland (“Hy”), traveled the globe extensively and raised three children. Brenda is a two-time cancer survivor and agreed to be interviewed because she has a message she is vehement about. “For…
It was Good Friday 1993 in a church in Pompano Beach, Florida, when Rick Egitto decided to approach beautiful Cindy, who was helping an elderly gentleman with his hymn book. The story varies on who saw whom first, but the two learned they worked near each other, and their romance began. The couple married on…
It is not every day that you get to take in the magnitude of Douglas County’s resources all in one place and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the extraordinary work our first responder, fire and rescue heroes do in service to our community. On September 12, more than 550 guests had that opportunity…
On September 18, the Mission Ballroom in Denver was host to the Pepper ‘Em with Love Gala benefiting Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary (PSDS). A Littleton-based nonprofit, PSDS is a compassionate home where elderly dogs are cared for during their good days, bad days and last days. Nearly 450 attendees gathered for the fundraiser which raised…
The Shih Tzu is a small, affectionate breed with a royal history. Originally bred to live in Chinese imperial palaces, these dogs were bred purely for companionship, not work or protection. Weighing between nine and 16 pounds, they carry themselves with charm and confidence. Their biggest strength is their emotional connection to their owners and…
Colorado’s sunny days and beauty invite us to spend time outdoors. But as a semi-arid region with generally quite low humidity and an average elevation of about 6,800 feet above sea level, there are some considerations for living in the state and enjoying outdoor time. Colorado’s elevation is higher than many other parts of the…
To honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we return to shine a light on Sense of Security (SOS). This Denver-based nonprofit is celebrating 25 years of assisting Colorado breast cancer patients with a Splash of Pink celebration on Saturday, October 18 at the Cable Center in Denver. It is a remarkable milestone. SOS supports patients facing…
It was by fate and then luck that Olin John “Jack” and later “Doc Jack” Butterfield and Dorothy Benway of Sedalia met and married. Both were born in the late 1890s. Dorothy’s father was a prosperous merchant in Lincoln, Nebraska, until a newly-purchased neon sign for his store sparked an electrical fire and destroyed his…
To honor the firefighters from 9/11, the Colorado 9/11 Stair Climb originated when five Denver firefighters climbed 110 stories of a high-rise office building in downtown Denver in 2005. In the following years, the Stair Climb grew in popularity until it was officially established by the West Metro Firefighters Local 1309 in 2009 and found…
Arachnophobia, or the pathological fear of spiders, afflicts one in three people in the United States. It is one of the most prolific specific phobias across geographical and cultural boundaries, according to Psychology Today. With roughly 35,000 spider species world-wide, only about a dozen are potentially lethal to humans. The eight-legged creatures are often vilified…
Dear Mrs. A. Would you give us some etiquette tips for Halloween? -Scary Mary in Hidden Pointe Dear Mary, Isn’t it a fun time of year, and aren’t we lucky to live in neighborhoods that enjoy and support Halloween festivities? Here are some ways to participate if you choose to: Give trick or treaters a…
When working in a dark basement or dusty shed, most people know to keep an eye out for a tiny but potent danger—the western black widow spider (Latrodectus hesperus). But how dangerous are they really? Black widows tend to live in dark, undisturbed areas, usually close to the ground. They can be found under shrubs,…
Douglas County’s Senior Life held its biennial event, Vintage & Vibrant, last month at the Highlands Ranch Senior Center. More than 200 seniors, volunteers and partners participated in the breakfast – lunch event. Dr. Nalin Mehta spoke about nanobiotechnology in medicine, a technology that plays a growing role in both diagnostic and therapeutic medicine. The…
Special thanks to Kristin Olsen, winner of The Connection’s Colorado Highland Games social media ticket giveaway, for sharing her photos from the event at the Denver Polo Club in Sedalia last month with us. Kristin is pictured below with a craftsman who was demonstrating how to make a “targe,” a Scottish shield. To learn more,…
October is the month to run through a haunted house and get the heart racing, learn our haunted history on a Denver ghost tour or take a hayride and meander through a pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin. Here is a list of attractions to choose from, whether one is looking for a fright…
On August 22, more than 600 neighbors gathered at the Village Shops for Vino in the Village, the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce’s signature event. In its 10th year, the popular party has sold out multiple years in a row and this year was no exception. Guests enjoyed chatting with vendors, listening to live music…
From amusement park rides to live music, this year’s Party in the Park was one for the books. On August 23, neighbors came together at Elk Ridge Park to close out the summer with a night of celebration. The annual event is organized by the City of Castle Pines and the Chamber and has become…