Stopped by El Delicioso on Mainstreet Parker this week — the rebrand of Las Delicias. The original owners are retiring, and Juan Andrade (you probably know him as John) took over. He started there 30 years ago at 18 and is moving the restaurant to an employee-owned model. I'd never actually been to the original, so can't compare, but the al carbon tacos were solid. If you were a regular, curious what you think of the new version.
New Pickleball Courts for Highlands Ranch
While I was out and about last week, I drove by the new Southpark Pickleball Complex on County Line Road — and people were already taking advantage of it on a way too sunny Friday afternoon in February.
Here's what you need to know:
The setup: 19 outdoor courts at 400 W. County Line Road (right at Broadway). Split ownership — Highlands Ranch Metro District runs courts 11-19 on the east side, South Suburban runs 1-10 on the west.
East side
West side
The deal: Free drop-in, first-come, first-served until March 1. After that, reservations are $12/hour — but unreserved courts stay free.
The extras: Shaded benches, heated restrooms, 147 parking spots. They thought this through.
Nice shaded areas next to the restrooms on each side
Registration for spring leagues and programming opened yesterday — https://www.highlandsranch.org/recreation/adult-programs/pickleball
Do you play pickleball?
Mod Mountain Boutique
Saddle Up
🎤 Music & Concerts
🎤 Kingpin Posse
📅 Date: Thursday, February 12
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM - 11:30 PM
📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
🔗 See event details
🎤 A Mardi Gras Celebration: Dirty Dozen Brass Band
📅 Date: Friday, February 13
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM
📍 Location: Lone Tree Arts Center, Lone Tree
🔗 See event details
🎤 Dirty Side Down
📅 Date: Friday, February 13
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM - 11:30 PM
📍 Location: Takoda Tavern, Parker
🔗 See event details
🎤 The Country Music Project
📅 Date: Friday, February 13
⏰ Time: 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
🔗 See event details
🎤 Ninety2K
📅 Date: Friday, February 13 & Saturday, February 14
⏰ Time: 8:30 PM - 12:30 AM
📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
🔗 See event details
🎤 Cranberry Vogue Party – A Valentine’s Show
📅 Date: Saturday, February 14
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
🔗 See event details
🎤 Jim Brickman
📅 Date: Saturday, February 14
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM
📍 Location: PACE Center, Parker
🔗 See event details
🎤 Orchard Road
📅 Date: Saturday, February 14
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM - 11:30 PM
📍 Location: Takoda Tavern, Parker
🔗 See event details
🎤 Two Guys Co.
📅 Date: Sunday, February 15
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
📍 Location: The Studio, Parker
🔗 See event details
🎤 Denver Concert Band Presents Forces of Nature featuring Jason Shafer
📅 Date: Sunday, February 15
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Lone Tree Arts Center, Lone Tree
🔗 See event details
🎤 Arts in the Afternoon Bettman & Halpin
📅 Date: Wednesday, February 18
⏰ Time: 1:30 PM
📍 Location: Lone Tree Arts Center, Lone Tree
🔗 See event details
👨👩👧👦 Family
💗 Hearts in the Wild: Nature's Valentines
📅 Date: Friday, February 13
⏰ Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
📍 Location: Fly’n B Park, Highlands Ranch
🔗 See event details
🐶 Paul Zerdin
📅 Date: Friday, February 13
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM
📍 Location: PACE Center, Parker
🔗 See event details
🏃♀️ Fitness
🏃 Love 'em or Leave 'em Valentine's Day 5K/10K
📅 Date: Saturday, February 14
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM
📍 Location: RNK Running & Walking, Parker
🔗 See event details
🍽️ Food & Drinks
🍷 Blanchard Family Blindfolded Tasting
📅 Date: Friday, February 13 & Saturday, February 14
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
📍 Location: COFF33, Castle Rock
🔗 See event details
🍺 Valentine's Day Beer and Dessert Pairing
📅 Date: Saturday, February 14
⏰ Time: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
📍 Location: Lone Tree Brewing Company, Castle Rock
🔗 See event details
🎨 Arts & Culture
🪵 Galentine’s Day DIY Wood Sign Workshop with Free Bonus Sign
📅 Date: Friday, February 13 & Saturday, February 14
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
📍 Location: Board & Brush, Parker
🔗 See event details
🎤 Branch & Bloom Educational Workshop: Curious About Crooning
📅 Date: Saturday, February 14
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Lone Tree Arts Center, Lone Tree
🔗 See event details
🍹 Nightlife & Entertainment
💓 Bottomless Mimosa Valentine’s Morning Couples Painting
📅 Date: Saturday, February 14
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Painting with a Twist, Parker
🔗 See event details
💗 Valentine's Day-Black Light Event-Cosmic Love-Set
📅 Date: Saturday, February 14
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Painting with a Twist, Parker
🔗 See event details
🎊 Galentine’s Night
📅 Date: Thursday, February 12
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Noire The Nail Bar, Highlands Ranch
🔗 See event details
💞 Sweetheart Strikes
📅 Date: Saturday, February 14
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
📍 Location: Main Event Highlands Ranch, Highlands Ranch
🔗 See event details
👻 Dead of Winter – Exploring the Paranormal
📅 Date: Friday, February 13
⏰ Time: 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Highlands Ranch Mansion, Highlands Ranch
🔗 See event details
🎙️ Myxed Trivia, Karaoke, & Top Gun Poker
📅 Date: Tuesday, February 17
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
📍 Location: Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
🔗 See event details
🎭 Mardi Gras Celebration
📅 Date: Tuesday, February 17
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Sterling Center, Sterling Ranch
🔗 See event details
🃏 Ladies Night, Line Dancing & Poker
📅 Date: Wednesday, February 18
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
🔗 See event details
🏔️ On the Horizon
🎤 SPARK! Music Appreciation: Love Song Sing-Along with Lorian Bartle
📅 Date: Thursday, February 19
⏰ Time: 1:30 PM
📍 Location: Lone Tree Arts Center, Lone Tree
🔗 See event details
🎤 Parker Symphony Orchestra: Awe-Inspiring American Women
📅 Date: Friday, February 20
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM
📍 Location: PACE Center, Parker
🔗 See event details
🎤 Jazz at Lincoln Center PRESENTS - Great American Crooners
📅 Date: Friday, February 20
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM
📍 Location: Lone Tree Arts Center, Lone Tree
🔗 See event details
Need more events? Check out https://dougcoevents.com
Wanted, Help
Local jobs and opportunities across Douglas County.
If you’re hiring, reach out at [email protected] for a free posting.
Reminder: if you’re looking to meet friends here locally, please check out DougCo Social Dinner Club. Our last one was in Castle Rock on Jan 28. We had 60+ people and over half of those made it to the after-dinner drinks. Feedback overall was a 4.8/5.0, so we’re doing another one in Parker on Feb 19. Would love to have you come out and join us! We’re at 50 sign-ups so far.
FAQs:
Is this a dating event? No.
Can couples come? Yes, you aren’t guaranteed to sit together, but we encourage carpooling because the restaurants are near one another.
What ages? Adults of all ages.
Learn more and sign up here: DougCo Social Dinner Club
Hometown Headlines
New Elementary School Breaks Ground in Lone Tree
TLDR: Construction officially started on RidgeGate Elementary in the Lyric community — capacity for 750 students, opening August 2027. The school board will name it closer to opening and wants community input.
Castle Pines Featured in Colorado Real Estate Journal
TLDR: The Journal spotlighted Castle Pines for infrastructure investments and long-range planning along the I-25 corridor — balancing growth opportunities while protecting community character.
Parker Testing Water-Saving Grass at Salisbury Park
TLDR: The Town is piloting Tahoma 31 turfgrass on Field No. 4 — a warm-season grass that uses 50% less water. Results will guide future turf decisions across town parks.
Parker Couple Launches S'mores Time
TLDR: Richard and Jennifer De La Rosa started a mobile s'mores business — catch them at Parker Station every Saturday in February, 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Original kit $10, gluten-free $12.
French Aerospace Company Expanding to Douglas County
TLDR: Sodern America chose DougCo for its first U.S. location — bringing star tracker and satellite technology, plus nearly 20 new engineering and production jobs.
$500K Federal Funding for US 85 Widening
TLDR: Federal dollars secured for the Highway 85 widening project between Sedalia and Castle Rock — funding design, right-of-way, and utility relocations on this critical corridor.
Lincoln Ave/Jordan Rd Widening Underway in Parker
TLDR: Construction on the Lincoln Avenue and Jordan Road widening project is moving forward — a major capital improvement for Parker traffic flow.
Douglas Has HEART Campaign Running Through March 12
TLDR: The county's homeless initiative launched a February fundraising campaign. Donations support HEART navigators who connect people to housing, mental health services, and resources. Details at DouglasHasHeart.org.
$85M Zebulon Sports Complex Moving Forward
TLDR: Planning Commission approved infrastructure plans for the 500-acre sports complex near Sterling Ranch. When complete, it'll have 30+ multi-use fields — one of the largest youth sports facilities in the state.
Lone Tree Village Shopping Coming to Ridgegate
TLDR: A 158,000 sq ft King Soopers-anchored shopping center is planned for Lincoln & Yosemite. Construction expected to start this year, with openings projected for 2027.
Lone Tree Considering Wildfire Resiliency Code
TLDR: New building code amendments aimed at wildfire protection are heading to public hearings Feb 24 and March 3. Would apply to new construction in certain areas.
Need more events? Check out https://dougcoevents.com
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