Well, we had a great showing in Parker for the Dinner Club last night. If you weren’t able to join us and want to come to Castle Rock on 4/29, please sign up here! With the success of the usual Dinner Club and Ladies’ Night Out last week (thanks to everyone who came), we’re also doing something new here.
NEW: Couples Dinner — Meet Other Couple Friends Over Dinner
We've had multiple requests for this, so we're trying it out.
Couples Dinner (55+) | Wed, Apr 29 @ 6:30pm | Castle Rock
Here's how it’ll work:
Show up, grab drinks, mingle, order
Sit down at 7pm with 1 or 2 other couples
Have dinner, make friends
Join the regular Dinner Club for the after-party if desired
9-15 couples — use code COUPLEDROP for $10 off (limited).
Oh, and seems like the weather heard me saying we didn’t have a winter so naturally it’s supposed to snow tomorrow…but if everything is clear on Saturday there’s a cool pop-up event happening at The Upper Deck at The Parker Hotel. The market should have 18+ local vendors in the lobby and on the rooftop. 12pm-4pm. DJ, giveaways, family friendly, new food menu, and more. Sounds like a good time — learn more on Instagram here.
Highlands Ranch was not to be outdone by Castle Rock and Parker dropping a bunch of summer events including their summer concert series, and they dropped their Summer Activity Guide this past week. I’ll have to do a deeper dive outlining everything, but their Summer Kickoff will be on June 6 and their hit Backcountry Outdoor Movie Series will run from June through August (they’re starting off really strong with a showing of The Goonies). Click here for the Summer Activity Guide and here for the Backcountry Outdoor Movie Series tickets.
One more thing: I'm working on another piece with The Aspen Effect for my other publication (Castle Rock Crew) and they've set up a private tour for us on Wed, Apr 22 from 6pm-7pm. 10-15 spots, 5 already claimed. Free, no pressure. Email me if you want in.
Hillcamp Development — Second Referral Released
The controversial Hillcamp proposal — 343 homes on ~400 acres of mesa tops west of I-25, adjacent to the East-West Regional Trail — is advancing to its final public comment period despite 11,000 petition signatures against it.
What's Being Proposed
Brookfield Residential is seeking approval for four concurrent applications:
Sub-Area Plan — Overall design guidelines
RidgeGate Preliminary Plan — 261 homes on 221 acres
Southridge Preserve Preliminary Plan — 82 homes on 171 acres
Cabela Drive Extension — New access road through city-owned open space
What Changed in the Second Referral
After the first comment period closed Feb 10, the city pushed back hard on several items. Key changes in the revised Sub-Area Plan:
Setbacks removed entirely — The city rejected Brookfield's cookie-cutter setbacks. Each lot will now require individual geotechnical analysis to determine buildable areas. Some lots may have large "unbuildable" portions.
Stricter height limits — In "highest visual sensitivity" areas, the 20-foot height limit is firm — no exceptions for berming or landscaping. In Southridge Preserve, any height above 20 feet requires "storypoling" to prove structures won't be visible from trails.
Wildlife protections tightened:
300-foot wildlife setback from cliff lines added to plans
200-foot structure setback from ridgetops
Privacy fencing banned (except trash enclosures at amenity area)
Wood fencing banned entirely — no exceptions
Fencing restricted to building envelopes only
Irrigation limits — No permanent irrigation in geologically unstable areas or preservation zones. Spray heads only allowed temporarily for initial landscaping — then must be removed.
Lots deferred to Development Agreement — Several big items still unresolved: height variance procedures, how setbacks actually get determined, fire mitigation maintenance responsibilities, building footprint analysis process.
What the Developer Says
In their Community Response Letter, Brookfield emphasizes:
"This is not currently public Open Space, but rather private property" — The land was zoned residential in 2000
~180 acres of open space will be dedicated, preserving the East-West Trail
Density is less than 1 home per acre — significantly lower than other RidgeGate areas
Emergency-only gated access to McArthur Dr and Heather Dr — no cut-through traffic
Wildlife corridors included: 45-foot corridor along southern boundary; 200-300 foot buffers on western edge
Wildfire Mitigation Plan includes non-combustible roofing, defensible space requirements, fuel breaks, fire-rated windows
What Opponents Say
The Save the Lone Tree Bluffs campaign argues:
The bluffs are "the crown jewel of Lone Tree" — used by residents across Douglas County via the East-West Regional Trail
Concerns about wildlife corridors, water resources, traffic, and wildfire risk
The Cabela Drive extension would cut through city-owned open space
"The developer owns this land, but the developer does not own access to this land"
How to Submit Comments
Deadline: May 26, 2026 — This is the last major public comment window before Planning Commission and City Council hearings.
Colorado Wine Walk
Colorado Wine Walk returns to Denver on April 26 from 3pm–6pm at the historic Dairy Block.
Hosted by our friends at Blanchard Family Wines, the Grand Tasting features unlimited wine samples, a commemorative glass and tote, live music, and gourmet bites. Guests can also purchase bottles from participating wineries during the event.
If you are looking for a good excuse to head into Denver, this one is worth the drive.
DCD readers can use code CREW10 for 10% off tickets.
Learn more
Help Wanted
Local jobs and opportunities across Douglas County.
If you’re hiring, reach out at [email protected] for a free posting.
Reminder: we’re coming back to Castle Rock on 4/29! Already have 20 sign-ups. Hope to see you there!
Sign up here.
Saddle Up
Music & Concerts
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Sarah P and the Haypullers Live (Patio) - Thu 4/16, 6:00pm–10:00pm
Stagecoach Saloon - Sarah P and the Hay Pullers Live - Fri 4/17, 6:30pm–10:30pm
Pines Bar & Grill - Blue Moon Band Live - Fri 4/17, 6:00pm–9:00pm
Alidade Brewing - Jazz Night with The Sam Witter Trio - Sat 4/18, 6:00pm–8:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - Aubrey Dale Live - Fri 4/17, 7:00pm–10:30pm
Takoda Tavern - Jewel and The Rough Live - Fri 4/17, 7:30pm–11:30pm
PACE Center - Parker Symphony Orchestra: American Cinema - Fri 4/17, 7:30pm–9:30pm
Sinners & Saints - Tribe Band Live at the Altar - Fri 4/17, 8:00pm–11:00pm
Sports Lounge Off Broadway - Project X Live - Fri 4/17, 8:00pm–12:00am
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Hot Lunch Band Live (Patio) - Fri 4/17, 6:00pm–10:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - That Eighties Band Live (Inside) - Fri 4/17, 8:30pm–12:30am
Wide Open Saloon - Acoustic Show - Sat 4/18, 2:00pm–5:00pm
105 West Brewing Company - These Guys Live - Sat 4/18, 6:30pm–9:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Mode for the Masses Live (Patio) - Sat 4/18, 6:00pm–10:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - Ninety Percent 90's Live - Sat 4/18, 7:00pm–10:30pm
Takoda Tavern - Untethered Live - Sat 4/18, 7:30pm–11:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Bullet the Blue Sky Live (Patio) - Sat 4/18, 8:00pm–10:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - That Eighties Band Live (Inside) - Sat 4/18, 8:30pm–12:30am
Sports Lounge Off Broadway - Project X Live - Sat 4/18, 8:00pm–12:00am
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - The Fuzzheads Live (Inside) - Sun 4/19, 5:00pm–9:00pm
PACE Center - Parker Chorale: Your Choices, Our Voices - Sun 4/19, 2:00pm–4:00pm
Food & Drink
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Afternoon Tea at the Castle - Fri 4/17, 1:00pm–3:30pm
COFF33 - Blanchard Family Wines Pop-Up - Fri 4/17, 5:00pm–9:00pm
COFF33 - Blanchard Family Wines Pop-Up - Sat 4/18, 5:00pm–9:00pm
Arts & Culture
Lone Tree Arts Center - SPARK! Engaging with Visual Arts: Photo Show - Thu 4/16, 1:30pm–3:00pm
Douglas County Libraries - Highlands Ranch - Author Talk: Sandra Dallas & Mark Stevens - Fri 4/17, 6:30pm–8:00pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Viva Flamenco! - Sun 4/19, 3:00pm–6:00pm
Sudden Fiction Books - Book Bedazzling - Tue 4/21, 6:00pm–8:00pm
Nightlife & Entertainment
Wide Open Saloon - Country Line Dancing - Thu 4/16, 6:00pm–10:00pm
Lansdowne Arms - Trivia Night - Thu 4/16, 6:00pm–8:00pm
Sinners & Saints - Spring Sparks Speed Dating - Thu 4/16, 6:30pm–8:30pm
Max Taps Co. - Poker Night - Thu 4/16, 7:00pm–9:00pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Free Whiskey Tasting & Texas Hold Em Poker - Thu 4/16, 7:00pm–10:00pm
Sports Lounge Off Broadway - Thursday Karaoke - Thu 4/16, 8:00pm–12:00am
Alidade Brewing - Bad Movie Good Beer: Plan 9 From Outer Space - Fri 4/17, 6:00pm–8:30pm
Lansdowne Arms - Saturday Night Karaoke - Sat 4/18, 8:00pm–11:00pm
Sudden Fiction Books - Final Draft Book Club - Mon 4/20, 6:00pm–8:00pm
Alidade Brewing - Puzzle Competition - Mon 4/20, 6:00pm–8:00pm
Takoda Tavern - Trivia Night - Tue 4/21, 6:00pm–8:00pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Bingo Night - Wed 4/22, 6:30pm–8:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Karaoke with Avery - Wed 4/22, 7:00pm–11:00pm
Community
Castle Rock Recreation Center - Parks and Recreation Summer Job Fair - Thu 4/16, 3:30pm–6:00pm
Takoda Tavern - Thursday Bike Night - Thu 4/16, 6:00pm–8:00pm
On the Horizon
Philip S. Miller Library - Wild in our Town - Thu 4/23, 6:00pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Sinatra Tribute Show LIVE! - Fri 4/24, 6:00pm–9:00pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Crawfish Boil - Sat 4/25, 11:00am - $20/lb
Alidade Brewing - Adult Spelling Bee - Sat 4/25, 6:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - Dueling Pianos - Sat 4/25, 7:00pm - $13+
Sudden Fiction Books - Boozy Bookfair with Burning Through Pages - Sun 4/26, 2:00pm
Need more events? Check out https://dougcoevents.com
Hometown Headlines
King Soopers Breaks Ground on New Lone Tree Store
TLDR: Construction started this week on a King Soopers Marketplace at Lincoln Ave and Yosemite St in Lone Tree. The $42 million project will bring 250 jobs and open spring 2027.
Jack's Modern Steakhouse Reopening April 28
TLDR: After an electrical fire forced them to close just weeks after opening, Jack's Modern Steakhouse in Lone Tree is back. They reopen April 28 with a new speakeasy concept added in May.
Trail Underpass Construction Underway in Lone Tree
TLDR: Construction is underway on a pedestrian and bike underpass beneath Arapahoe Road in Lone Tree. The project connects the Lone Tree Creek Trail and eliminates a dangerous at-grade crossing. Construction is anticipated to be complete in early Spring 2027. Expect traffic impacts.
Lost Canyon Ranch Open Space Opening This Summer
TLDR: The Lost Canyon Ranch Open Space near Castlewood Canyon will open to the public this summer. The property includes miles of trails and connects to the existing open space network in Castle Rock.
Parker 'Breathes New Life' Into Heritage Center
TLDR: The Town of Parker is renovating the Heritage Center on Mainstreet with updated exhibits and improved accessibility.
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