DougCo Drop – Dec 31st – Powerball Winners, a Superstar is Injured, and Skyrocketing Insurance Premiums

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you! Unfortunately, I was not the lucky individual who woke up on Christmas morning and learned that they won $100k from the Powerball ticket sold in Lone Tree, or the others totaling another $700k across Colorado, so I hope you were! Regardless, hopefully you were able to enjoy some downtime and recharge for the new year. I’m up in Crested Butte trying to unplug a little bit, but I can’t help but scheme some cool things for this community in 2026. I’m very excited about where we’re going to take this.

I’ll write about it more at a later date, but I was able to check out the new Homegrown Tap & Dough location in downtown Castle Rock. It’s as good as I expected it to be. We’re doing a giveaway of two $100 gift cards with them, so if you want to enter take a look at our sister brand’s Instagram post here and follow the directions in the caption.

Oh, and FYI, if you’re looking to dispose of your Christmas tree in Highlands Ranch for free, check out details here.

Saddle Up

🎤 Music & Concerts

🎤 Starburn
📅 Date: Wednesday, December 31
⏰ Time: 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Takoda Tavern, Parker
🎤 Detail: Celebrate the holiday with great tunes, festive vibes, and community spirit all at no cost.

🎹 NYE Party Featuring Dueling Pianos
📅 Date: Wednesday, December 31
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM
📍 Location: Wide Open Saloon, Sedalia
🎹 Detail: Expect high-energy music, hilarious banter, and nonstop fun as two pianists battle it out with your favorite songs.

🎼 New Year's Eve w/ Ninety Percent 90s & Glitter in the Air
📅 Date: Wednesday, December 31
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
🎼 Detail: Featuring Glitter in the Air: The Ultimate P!NK Experience and Ninety Percent 90s, this bash promises unforgettable performances, dancing, and celebration.

🎤 Guild of Ages
📅 Date: Wednesday, December 31
⏰ Time: 8:30 PM - 12:30 AM
📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
🎤 Detail: Get ready to rock with Danny Martinez, Anthony “Antz” Trujillo, James Lostetter, and Steve Stuntz as Guild of Ages brings their high‑energy sound to the stage!

🎤 90's Jukebox
📅 Date: Friday, January 2
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM - 11:30 PM
📍 Location: Takoda Tavern, Parker
🎤 Detail: Relive the era of iconic anthems, unforgettable pop, and rock classics in a high-energy performance that will keep you dancing all night long.

🎤 Eric Golden
📅 Date: Friday, January 2
⏰ Time: 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
🎤 Detail: Catch local favorite Eric Golden live at the Wild Goose for a night of high‑energy music and community vibes!

🎤 Guild of Ages
📅 Date: Friday, January 2 - Saturday, January 3
⏰ Time: 8:30 PM - 12:30 AM
📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
🎤 Detail: This free show promises a weekend of dancing, rockin’, and rollin’ with one of Colorado’s favorite bands.

🎤 Time Warp
📅 Date: Saturday, January 3
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM - 11:30 PM
📍 Location: Takoda Tavern, Parker
🎤 Detail: This free show brings high-energy performances and classic hits that will keep you dancing and singing all evening long.

🎤 Aftershock
📅 Date: Saturday, January 3
⏰ Time: 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
🎤 Detail: Get ready for an electrifying night as AfterShock rocks the stage at the Wild Goose!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family

🍹 Noon Year’s Eve Party
📅 Date: Wednesday, December 31
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM - 12:02 PM
📍 Location: Sterling Center, Sterling Ranch
🍹 Detail: Skip the late-night countdown and celebrate the New Year at lunchtime!

🎆 New Year's Eve, Drone Show
📅 Date: Wednesday, December 31
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Echo Park Stadium, Parker
🎆 Detail: This family‑friendly celebration offers a quieter alternative to fireworks perfect for Veterans, kids, and pets.

🍹 Nightlife & Entertainment

🎆 BLING in the New Year
📅 Date: Wednesday, December 31
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 1:00 AM
📍 Location: The Studio @ Mainstreet, Parker
🎆 Detail: Get ready for a dazzling night of non-stop glamour, high-energy vibes, and epic Pop & Rock hits from PHOENIX, Parker, CO’s hottest Rock ’n’ Roll band.

🎆 New Year’s Eve Bash 2026
📅 Date: Wednesday, December 31
⏰ Time: 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Meadows Banquet & Event Center, Lone Tree
🎆 Detail: With complimentary drinks, great vibes, and an electrifying atmosphere, it’s the perfect way to welcome 2026 in style with your loved ones.

🎆 New Year’s Eve Party @ Sinners & Saints
📅 Date: Wednesday, December 31
⏰ Time: 8:00 PM - 1:00 AM
📍 Location: Sinners & Saints, Castle Rock
🎆 Detail: Join us for an unforgettable night featuring exclusive food and drink specials and a high‑energy DJ Party that will keep you dancing straight into the New Year.

🎆 2026 New Year’s Party
📅 Date: Wednesday, December 31
⏰ Time: 9:30 PM
📍 Location: Pines Bar & Grill, Castle Pines
🎆 Detail: The party kicks off at 9:30 PM, so gather your crew and get ready to welcome 2026 with a bang!

🏔️ On the Horizon

🎤 Open Mic Night
📅 Date: Wednesday, January 7
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
📍 Location: Takoda Tavern, Parker
🎤 Detail: Hosted by Anthony Russo & The Takoda Boys, this free show invites performers and audiences alike to share in the fun.

🎤 Tots & Tunes
📅 Date: Thursday, January 8
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
📍 Location: Southridge Rec Center, Highlands Ranch
🎤 Detail: Bring the kids for a morning of music, movement, and fun at the Southridge Rec Center.

🎤 Nikki Z Trio
📅 Date: Friday, January 9
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM - 11:30 PM
📍 Location: Takoda Tavern, Parker
🎤 Detail: Enjoy dynamic performances from the Nikki Z Trio and Nikki Z Solo, showcasing incredible talent and crowd-pleasing sound.

🎤 Street Survivors – Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute & Second Chance – A Tribute to 38 Special
📅 Date: Friday, January 9
⏰ Time: 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
🎤 Detail: Get ready for a powerhouse night of Southern rock as Street Survivors deliver a high‑energy Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute alongside Second Chance, honoring the legendary sound of 38 Special.

🚗 Worth the Drive 

🎄 Trail of Lights
📅 Date: Friday, November 21 - Sunday, January 11 (closed Nov. 27 & Dec. 25)
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
📍 Location: Chatfield Farms, Littleton
🎄 Detail: Experience Colorado’s countryside aglow this holiday season at Littleton’s Chatfield Farms.

🎅 Hudson Holidays
📅 Date: Friday, November 28 until January 4
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM
📍 Location: Hudson Gardens, Littleton
🎅 Detail: The season sparkles beginning Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, with shows on select nights through Jan. 4, 2026.

🏃‍♀️ Stock Show Kick-off Parade
📅 Date: Thursday, January 8
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Union Station at 17th Street, Denver
🏃‍♀️ Detail: Hooves on the streets of downtown Denver mean one thing: the National Western Stock Show is here!

Four Seasons Lighting Co

Colorado’s Premier Jellyfish Lighting Installer

Permanent Lighting That Works All Year

If you’ve noticed clean, subtle lighting on homes around Douglas County lately, there’s a good chance it was installed by the local team at Four Seasons Lighting Co.

That team is Cj and Lariss Taggart, a Castle Rock–based couple bringing permanent, low-profile lighting to homes across the area as an authorized Jellyfish Lighting dealer.

The systems are designed to blend into your home and elevate it at night, whether that’s everyday curb appeal, added security, or seasonal lighting when you want it.

Interested? Be sure to take advantage of their end-of-year blow-out sale!

Click here for personalized options!

Use code JF25 for 25% off

Hometown Headlines

Nikola Jokić to miss at least four weeks with knee injury
TLDR: Denver’s three-time MVP hyperextended his left knee late Monday night and will be reevaluated in four weeks. The injury is not season-ending, but Jokić is expected to miss roughly 15–16 games, putting pressure on the Nuggets during a key stretch of the season.

Douglas County homeowners insurance rates surge as wildfire risk grows
TLDR: If your homeowners insurance bill feels out of control, it’s not just inflation. Douglas County now has the second-largest premium increases in Colorado, driven by high home values and a growing wildfire threat fueled by pine beetle infestations across the Front Range.

Post-Christmas deals draw big crowds to Outlets at Castle Rock
TLDR: Warm weather and deep clearance discounts brought shoppers out in force this week, with retailers reporting traffic stronger than expected for the days after Christmas. Many stores are clearing winter inventory ahead of spring shipments, with the best deals expected to last about a week.

Clothes Mentor Lone Tree builds more than a resale shop for women
TLDR: The Lone Tree resale boutique is becoming a community hub, offering affordable, high-quality fashion while supporting sustainability and local nonprofits. Owner Carrie Kohr says the mission goes beyond clothes, focusing on confidence, connection, and keeping usable clothing out of landfills.

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