Busy week on the food front — I stopped by Poulette yesterday for their first day at the new location on Mainstreet. If you want a look inside, I posted photos on Instagram here.

Then I walked over to Playa Bowls, who had their grand opening this past weekend, because apparently scarfing down three pastries at 8:30am wasn’t enough. I did order a protein bowl to compensate, but what I really need to do is start covering more gym and fitness openings to burn off some of these carbs…

But before then, we’re getting even more spoiled — and some of these openings are actually outside of Parker. The Capital Grille lands in Lone Tree this Saturday, March 15, taking over the old Red Lobster spot near Park Meadows.

Plus, Egg Harbor Cafe in Highlands Ranch is holding its grand opening tomorrow and Saturday. I’ll be there, so expect a full write-up next week. I’m hoping to get a discount code for you. Worst case, we’ll definitely have some gift cards.

Quick social update: we wrapped our latest DougCo Social dinner in Castle Rock last night, and Lone Tree is next. If you’ve been waiting for that one, now’s your chance. Learn more here.

We’re also kicking around another idea tied to DougCo Social — a Ladies’ Night Out. Wine tasting, charcuterie, chocolate pairings, the whole thing. We floated the idea in Castle Rock Crew this week and the response was strong, so now I’m curious: would you make the trip to Castle Rock for something like this?

If you've driven through the east side of Lone Tree lately, you've probably noticed the dirt moving. A lot of it.

That's because three major projects are now under construction within a few blocks of each other in the Lyric neighborhood at RidgeGate — and together, they're turning what was open land into one of the most complete new neighborhoods in Douglas County.

Here's what's coming:

A full-size King Soopers Marketplace is anchoring a new 158,000-square-foot shopping center called Lone Tree Village. It's being developed by Regency Centers and sits right between the eastbound and westbound lanes of RidgeGate Parkway, near High Note Avenue.

Beyond the grocery store, the project includes six retail buildings, restaurants, and a gas station. Construction is underway now with an expected opening in 2027.

For Lyric residents (and anyone on the east side of I-25), this is the anchor this side of Lone Tree has been waiting for.

Just up the road at the corner of Lyric and Adage, Douglas County School District broke ground on a new elementary school in early February. It's officially called "Elementary School 50" for now — they're asking for community input on the permanent name.

The school will serve Pre-K through 6th grade with capacity for 750 students, and it's scheduled to open August 2027. The principal will be Doug Humphreys, who's coming over from Eagle Ridge Elementary after 18 years there.

Funding came from the 2024 DCSD bond measure. For families moving into Lyric and the surrounding neighborhoods, this was a critical piece of infrastructure — and now it's actually going up.

This one might be the most exciting. Lone Tree and South Suburban Parks and Recreation are building an 80-acre regional park at High Note Avenue and Lyric Street — and Phase 1 includes playgrounds, a dog park, sports fields, a small amphitheater stage, and yes, a beer garden.

The city and South Suburban Parks and Recreation have committed $22 million to Phase 1, with an additional $10 million in funding from the county, the Southeast Public Improvement Metropolitan District, and Great Outdoors Colorado. Construction starts this spring with a goal of opening fall 2027.

The Planning Commission votes on the final plan April 14, with City Council approval expected April 21.

When complete, High Note will be the largest park in Lone Tree — a central gathering space for concerts, festivals, and everyday use.

These three projects aren't random — they're part of a much larger plan.

RidgeGate is a 3,500-acre master-planned development, and the east side is being built around what the city calls "Lone Tree City Center" — a 400-acre urban core that could eventually include 5,000 residential units and up to 35,000 jobs.

Shea Homes is building about 1,900 homes in the Lyric neighborhood alone, with prices ranging from the high $600s to over $1.2 million. The 7,500-square-foot Lyric Amenity Center — with a restaurant, fitness center, and pool — is expected to open this summer.

It's not quite a full neighborhood yet. But with a grocery store, a school, and an 80-acre park all opening within months of each other, it's getting close.

We'll keep checking in as construction progresses.

Sources: City of Lone Tree - City Center, City of Lone Tree - High Note Park, RidgeGate, Mile High CRE, Shea Homes, DCSD, CBS Colorado

Start shopping Mod Mountain’s latest new arrivals here.

Local jobs and opportunities across Douglas County.

If you’re hiring, reach out at [email protected] for a free posting.

Music & Concerts

Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Eric Golden Band - Thu 3/12, 7:30pm
The Studio @ Mainstreet - Friday VIBES Live Music - Fri 3/13, 5:30pm
Stagecoach Saloon - Sarah P and The Hay Pullers - Fri 3/13, 6:30pm
Wide Open Saloon - Brian Brooks Sundown Rising - Fri 3/13, 7pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Sinatra Tribute Show - Fri 3/13, 7pm
Takoda Tavern - Austin Ross Band - Fri 3/13, 7:30pm
Sinners & Saints - Scotty Brown - Fri 3/13, 8pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - 90's Til Dawn - Fri 3/13, 8:30pm
Stagecoach Saloon - Walker Williams Band - Sat 3/14, 6:30pm
105 West Brewing - The Jack Hadley Band - Sat 3/14, 6:30pm
Wide Open Saloon - Rock Candy - Sat 3/14, 7pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - River Run Irish Band - Sat 3/14, 7pm
Lone Tree Arts Center - Cheyenne Jackson - Sat 3/14, 7:30pm
Takoda Tavern - Jimmy Junior Blues Band - Sat 3/14, 7:30pm
The Studio @ Mainstreet - Buck Sergeant - Sat 3/14, 8:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - 90's Til Dawn - Sat 3/14, 8:30pm
The Studio @ Mainstreet - Two Guys - Sat 3/15, 12:00pm
105 West Brewing - Chancer's Hooley - Sun 3/15, 2pm
Takoda Tavern - Open Mic Night with Anthony Russo - Wed 3/18, 7pm

Family

The Schoolhouse - Goodnight Moon - Mouse Hunt Scavenger Hunt - Thu 3/12, 10am
The Schoolhouse - Stage Production of Goodnight Moon - Sat 3/14, 10am
The Schoolhouse - Goodnight Moon - Storytime with DCPA - Sun 3/15, 10am & 12pm
Lone Tree Arts Center - Colorado Children's Nowruz - Sun 3/15, 2pm
The Schoolhouse - Goodnight Moon - Nursery Rhyme Sing Along - Mon 3/16, 10am

Food & Drink

COFF33 - Wine Glass Tasting Seminar - Fri 3/13, 7pm
COFF33 - Wine and Chocolate Tasting - Sat 3/14, 7pm
Alidade Brewing - St. Patrick's Day Party - Sun 3/15, 11am
Wide Open Saloon - St Patrick's Day - Tue 3/17, 11am
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - St Patrick's Day - Tue 3/17, 11am
Provision - Experience Michter's with Master Distiller Dan McKee - Tue 3/17, 6pm

Arts & Culture

Douglas County Libraries - Castle Rock Historical Society Presentation - Thu 3/12, 7pm
The Schoolhouse - Goodnight Moon - A Fiber Tale Art Exhibition - Mon 3/16, 2pm
Sudden Fiction Books - Final Draft Book Club - Mon 3/16, 6:30pm
Lone Tree Arts Center - Arts in the Afternoon: Opera Colorado - Romeo and Juliet - Wed 3/18, 1:30pm

Nightlife & Entertainment

Wide Open Saloon - Thursday Line Dancing - Thu 3/12, 6pm
The Studio @ Mainstreet - Studio Trivia & Music Bingo - Thu 3/12, 6pm
105 West Brewing - Trivia Night - Thu 3/12, 6pm
The Studio @ Mainstreet - OPTIMUS CLUB Karaoke - Fri 3/13, 9pm
Sinners & Saints - St. Patrick's Day Celebration - Sat 3/14, 11am
The Studio @ Mainstreet - Extreme Bar Bingo - Session 1 - Sat 3/14, 12pm
The Studio @ Mainstreet - Extreme Bar Bingo - Session 2 - Sat 3/14, 2:30pm
The Studio @ Mainstreet - Sunday Karaoke with KJ Optimus - Sun 3/15, 4pm
Takoda Tavern - Tuesday Night Trivia - Tue 3/17, 6pm
The Studio @ Mainstreet - Game Night & Poker - Tue 3/17, 7pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Karaoke with Avery Kyle - Wed 3/18, 7pm

Community

Alidade Brewing - Mah Jongg Monday - Mon 3/16, 5:30pm

On the Horizon

PACE Center - Goodnight Moon - Astronomy with Wings Over the Rockies - Thu 3/19, 10am
Lone Tree Arts Center - SPARK! Tagawa Gardens - Thu 3/19, 1:30pm
PACE Center - The Young Dubliners - Thu 3/19, 7:30pm
Lone Tree Arts Center - Women of Americana - Thu 3/19, 7:30pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Wine Tasting: Celebrate Women Winemakers - Fri 3/20, 6pm
Wide Open Saloon - Dueling Pianos - Fri 3/20, 7pm
PACE Center - King of Pop Resurrected - Michael Jackson Tribute - Fri 3/20, 7pm
Takoda Tavern - Soda Blue - Fri 3/20, 7:30pm
The Schoolhouse - Stage Production of Goodnight Moon - Sat 3/21, 10am
Stagecoach Saloon - Blinker Fluid - Sat 3/21, 6:30pm
105 West Brewing - Knucklehorn - Sat 3/21, 6:30pm
Lone Tree Arts Center - St. Patrick's Day Celebration with Solas - Sat 3/21, 7:30pm
The Schoolhouse - Goodnight Moon - Storytime with DCPA - Sun 3/22, 10am & 12pm
PACE Center - Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy - Celtic All-Stars - Tue 3/24, 7:30pm
PACE Center - Ada Twist, Scientist and Friends - Wed 3/25, 6:30pm

Need more events? Check out https://dougcoevents.com

Health Wave Partners Acquires MorningStar of Parker
TLDR: The 191-unit senior living campus near Parker Road was acquired March 9. The community offers independent living to memory care.

New Trail Spur Coming to Highlands Ranch
TLDR: Construction begins week of March 16 on a paved trail from Royal Eagle Lane to Saddle Ranch Trail south of Foothills Park. Joint project with Douglas County School District.

DCSD Consolidating Six Highlands Ranch Elementary Schools Into Three
TLDR: Starting Fall 2026, Acres Green consolidates into Fox Creek, Heritage into Summit View, and Saddle Ranch into Eldorado. Sixth grade also moves to middle school this fall for HR elementary schools that feed into Cresthill, Mountain Ridge, and Ranch View middle schools.

Free Rideshare Service Coming to Parker in April
TLDR: Link on Demand expands to Parker and Stonegate next month. It works like Uber but it's free — request a ride via app, get picked up in 10-15 minutes. Already running in Lone Tree and Highlands Ranch with 72K trips last year and a 4.9-star rating.

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