DougCo Drop – Nov 5th – Big-time Infrastructure, Small-town Process, and a Killer Crunch Wrap

So glad we fell back…didn’t adjust my sleep schedule at all, so I’m already back to sleeping in well past the normal time any human should, and now I want to stop work at 5pm when the sun’s already down…so this should be a pretty productive end to the year.

But, it has to be because the last week’s poll ended with a landslide victory for me working on the site/events calendar for the next couple of month. We’ll get to work now and start updating it, but please be a little patient for me to work out the quirks: https://dougcodrop.com/events/

Speaking of voting, polls, and victories…my ballot is in, but I lost the sticker…so felt I needed to make sure you knew that I did indeed vote. Will be waiting with bated breath on the results…

Saddle Up

🎤 Music & Concerts

🎤 FREE WATCH PARTY Broncos vs. Raiders - Thursday Night Football
📅 Date: Thursday, November 6
⏰ Time: 6:15 PM
📍 Location: Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
🎤 Detail: Thursday Night Football is heating up at the Wild Goose Saloon in Parker! Join us the first Thursday after Halloween for the epic Broncos vs. Raiders showdown.

🎤 Live Music: Rhett Haney
📅 Date: Thursday, November 6
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM - 11:30 PM
📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
🎤 Detail: With over 20 years in Denver’s music scene, Rhett Haney brings seasoned talent and heartfelt grit to every performance.

🎤 Live Music: Front Range Revival
📅 Date: Friday, November 7
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM - 11:30 PM
📍 Location: Wide Open Saloon, Sedalia
🎤 Detail: This five-piece band brings boot-stomping’ energy, heartfelt lyrics, and harmonies smoother than whiskey.

🎤 Vetras Rocks the Stagecoach
📅 Date: Saturday, November 8
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM
📍 Location: The Stagecoach Saloon, Franktown
🎤 Detail: Vetras is back and ready to rock the Stagecoach Saloon in Franktown!

🎤 Ladies of Country Music
📅 Date: Sunday, November 9
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
🎤 Detail: Saddle up for an afternoon of powerhouse vocals and pure country soul as the Ladies of Country Music take over Wild Goose Saloon.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family

🧪 Parker Science Night
📅 Date: Sunday, November 9
⏰ Time: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
📍 Location: PACE Center, Parker
🧪 Detail: Dive into hands-on fun with interactive exhibits from Cave of the Winds, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Buckley Space Force, and more.

⛹️ Fitness

🤸 Health & Harvest Ladies’ Night
📅 Date: Friday, November 7
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
📍 Location: Mission Possible Fitness, Castle Rock
🤸 Detail: Gather your girlfriends for Health & Harvest Ladies’ Night! Celebrate the season with an evening of wellness, fun, and fall vibes.

🏃‍♂️ Backcountry Wilderness Half Marathon
📅 Date: Saturday, November 8
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM
📍 Location: Rocky Heights Middle School, Lone Tree
🏃‍♂️ Detail: Join us for the 17th Annual Backcountry Wilderness Half Marathon in Highlands Ranch!

🎨 Arts & Culture

🪴 Pot Painting Party
📅 Date: Saturday, November 8
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
📍 Location: The Gardens, Highlands Ranch
🪴 Detail: Bring your creativity and your crew to a heartwarming day of pot painting at our local studio!

📺 Skyline Chorus presents “Must See Holiday TV”
📅 Date: Wednesday, November 5
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: PACE Center, Parker
📺 Detail: Ready for some holiday cheer with a twist? Skyline Chorus brings you Must See Holiday TV a fun, musical escape from the holiday hustle!

🧵 33rd Annual Castle Rock Craft Show Extraordinaire
📅 Date: Saturday, November 8
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Douglas County Events Center (Fairgrounds), Castle Rock
🧵 Detail: One of the largest craft events in the County! Unique handcrafted products not found elsewhere by true artisans and crafters. Benefits area senior citizen programs and services.

👚 19th Yuletide Bazaar Celebrating 150 years of Colorado
📅 Date: Saturday, November 8
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Parker Fieldhouse, Parker
👚 Detail: Step into the spirit of the season at this festive community tradition!

🪴 Holiday Charcuterie / Centerpiece Workshop
📅 Date: Sunday, November 9
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
📍 Location: Red Barn Gatherings, Franktown
🪴 Detail: Join Jessica and Kim of ShariAnn Farms and Garner and Gather at Red Barn Gatherings in Franktown for a festive hands-on workshop designed to take the stress out of holiday hosting.

🍹 Nightlife & Entertainment

🎤 Ryan Hamilton
📅 Date: Saturday, November 8
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM
📍 Location: PACE Center, Parker
🎤 Detail: Get ready to laugh with Ryan Hamilton at Parker Arts on November 8! Known for his clean, clever comedy and Idaho-to-NYC charm, Ryan’s been featured on Fallon, Colbert, and Netflix’s Happy Face.

🃏 Poker Tournament
📅 Date: Saturday, November 8
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM
📍 Location: Sports Lounge Off Broadway, Highlands Ranch
🃏 Detail: Play some hands and see who walks away with the most chips. Silent auction including Nuggets tickets!

🎤 Avery Kyle Entertainment
📅 Date: Wednesday, November 5
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
🎤 Detail: Join Avery Kyle Entertainment for a high-energy karaoke night, complete with dance sets and an unforgettable crowd vibe. Free show!

🚗 Worth the Drive 

🧔‍♀️ Crisis Center Gala 2025
📅 Date: Friday, November 7
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight at Centennial Airport, Englewood
🧔‍♀️ Detail: Join us for a powerful evening celebrating 40 years of resilience, healing, and advocacy for survivors of domestic violence.

🍴 Breakfast Fly-In & Food Drive - Wings Over The Rockies
📅 Date: Saturday, November 8
⏰ Time: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
📍 Location: Exploration of Flight at Centennial Airport, Englewood
🍴 Detail: Head to Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight at Centennial Airport for a morning of aviation excitement!

🧝‍♀️ A Holistic Holiday & Magical Maker’s Faire
📅 Date: Saturday, November 8 and Sunday, November 9
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM / 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, Aurora
🧝‍♀️ Detail: Kick off your holiday season with “Spirituality with an Artsy Twist” at this vibrant two-day faire in Aurora!

🐺 Traveling Exhibition
📅 Date: Friday, November 14 - Sunday, November 30
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM
📍 Location: Erie Community Library, Lakewood, Erie
🐺 Detail: Step into history with this immersive pop-up exhibition presented by the Colorado State Society and local DAR chapters in partnership with the American Battlefield Trust.

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Get a quote before the rush!

Wanted, Help

Local jobs and opportunities across Douglas County.

• Central Planning Support Associate I - Lockheed Martin - Highlands Ranch

• Medical Administrative Assistant - TEKsystems - Castle Rock

• General Merchandise, Closing, Fulfillment - Target - Parker

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

Land and Lore

Where $2 Billion Could Go: Inside Douglas County’s 2050 Transportation Plan

Douglas County has released its draft 2050 Transportation Plan — a 25-year roadmap outlining more than 160 projects and roughly $2 billion in spending to keep up with growth, congestion, and safety needs.

A large share of near-term infrastructure spending is centered around the Zebulon project in Sterling Ranch, part of a major development push that includes new or widened roads and improved connections to Highway 85. We covered their land swap a few weeks ago here: DougCo Drop Oct 15.

Residents can submit feedback through Saturday, November 15 at 2050dctp.com.

The $2 Billion Question

The plan divides its projects into three timelines — near-term (2026–2030), mid-term (2031–2040), and long-term (2041–2050) — with a few concepts stretching even further.

Altogether, the list includes more than 160 projects across Douglas County. Most are roadway-focused, though a handful involve bike lanes, trails, safety programs, and transit coordination. The plan’s authors note that many projects were first identified years ago and are still waiting for funding.

Where the Money Flows

The biggest share of near-term funding focuses on Sterling Ranch, Castle Rock, Castle Pines, and northern Douglas County, where multiple projects aim to expand capacity and prepare for continued growth. That includes widening Waterton Road and upgrading Titan Parkway near the Zebulon development, along with arterial and interchange improvements around Castle Rock and Castle Pines.

Other priorities include long-term safety and connectivity upgrades on East Upper Lake Gulch Road, rural road improvements along County Road 105 between Sedalia and Palmer Lake, and a future north–south corridor connecting the Flintwood and Delbert areas. Farther north, the county envisions extending Pine Drive east toward Aurora Parkway to ease traffic on CO-83.

Who Was Asked?

County staff describe the 2050 plan as a “collaborative and inclusive” process involving county leadership, a stakeholder advisory team, and the public. The five-goal framework behind the plan emphasizes safety, reliability, sustainability, resilience, and equity.

But only a small share of residents actually participated. Two online surveys gathered a combined 1,000 responses in a county of nearly 400,000 people — less than one-third of one percent. Outreach included social media posts, a public input map, and a handful of pop-up events; it seems clear the plan didn’t reach much of the community — at least not in the sense of generating much feedback.

Did you know about the 2050 Transportation Plan?

The Catch: Funding Sunsets Ahead

While the plan outlines billions in potential projects, much of that depends on funding sources that may not last. Two major county transportation funds are scheduled to expire within the next decade, and keeping projects on track could require not just renewal but possibly expanding or replacing those taxes through a new voter-approved measure.

If those funds lapse, the county’s transportation budget could shrink sharply by the mid-2030s, limiting its ability to maintain existing roads or build new ones. Officials are also exploring a transportation impact fee on new development to help offset future costs.

Growth Pressure from Every Direction

Douglas County’s population is projected to rise another 16 percent by 2050, while neighboring counties like El Paso and Elbert are expected to grow even faster. That means more commuters, more regional through-traffic, and heavier strain on corridors such as I-25, Highway 85, and CO-83.

At the same time, an aging population will shift demand toward safer roads, clearer signage, and more accessible mobility options for older adults. Rural routes are also seeing higher crash rates tied to increased commuter and recreational use — prompting the county to prioritize a new Rural Roadway Safety Program.

How to Weigh In

Public comments on the 2050 Transportation Plan are open through Saturday, November 15 at 2050dctp.com. Residents can review maps, read the full draft, and share feedback before the plan is finalized later this year.

For a county growing this fast, the decisions in this plan will shape everything from daily commutes to emergency evacuation routes — and this is the window to speak up before the map is set for decades to come.

If you’d like to read through the transportation plan you can check it out here: 2050 Transportation Plan (took me about an hour to get through thanks to all the pictures).

If you’re a glutton for punishment or need help falling asleep tonight, you can read through the appendices here: Appendices.

Update regarding Crowsnest Annexation Proposal we discussed last week:

Castle Pines City Council approved a resolution finding the annexation petition in “substantial compliance” with state law, clearing the way for the next steps in the process. The first reading of the annexation ordinance and agreement is set for November 11, followed by a public hearing and final vote on December 9.

At least one councilmember suggested pushing that hearing back because of other meetings, but Mayor Engerman ultimately prevailed and kept December 9 on the calendar.

If you want to watch the discussion yourself — including the five-minute recess for “Tone and Temperament” — you can find the meeting video here.

Hometown Headlines

Construction officially underway on Castle Rock’s new indoor recreation center
TLDR: Construction is officially underway on the Castle Rock Sports Center, a 145,000-square-foot indoor recreation complex in the Brickyard development off Prairie Hawk Drive. The $75 million project is a public-private partnership between the Town, Confluence Companies, and Saunders Construction, funded largely through growth-related revenues and urban-renewal financing. The facility will include gyms, pools, fitness studios, community rooms, and a trail connecting the Brickyard to Downtown and Philip S. Miller Park. It’s the Town’s first new gym and competitive pool since 1988. Construction is expected to finish by summer 2027.

AdventHealth Opens New Wellness Trail in Castle Rock
TLDR: AdventHealth Castle Rock has opened the Pittman Pathway Wellness Trail, a public quarter-mile loop on its southeast campus. The trail includes outdoor fitness equipment, an incline, and health tips based on AdventHealth’s CREATION Life principles of whole-person wellness. It’s named after former CEO Jeremy Pittman, who helped shape the hospital’s community-centered vision. Funded through the AdventHealth Castle Rock Foundation, the trail invites residents, patients, and staff to stay active and connected to the hospital’s broader mission of health and healing.

Family Care Center Opens Mental Health Clinic in Castle Rock
TLDR: Family Care Center has opened a new outpatient mental health clinic in Castle Rock, expanding access to therapy and psychiatric services across Castle Rock, Castle Pines, and nearby communities. The clinic offers individual, couples, and family counseling, medication management, and advanced treatments such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). More than 90% of the organization’s patients report significant improvements in their mental health, well above national averages. The new location marks Family Care Center’s 20th clinic in Colorado and aims to address the state’s growing mental health care needs.

Tried & True

🌮 Tried & True: Bien y Tú — Castle Rock

Castle Rock got a new dose of flavor early this year when Bien Y Tú opened next door to Castle Café, from the same owners who clearly know how to create a spot locals actually want to linger in.

Inside, it’s upscale without the attitude — warm wood accents, bold art, and a lively energy that feels more like San Miguel de Allende than a suburban strip. The menu walks the line between familiar and elevated: chimichurri steak, Gambas al Ajillo, and a rotating list of creative cocktails that lean more fiesta than fine dining.

We started with chips and guac (always the test), then I went for The Lawsuit — basically a gourmet crunch wrap supreme that delivers all the satisfaction without the Taco Bell aftermath. Someone else at the table ordered the carnitas bowl, loaded with flavor and plenty of protein.

Apparently, the move next time is the key lime pie — because when multiple people tell you not to skip dessert, you listen.

Bien Y Tú pulls off that rare balance of polished and playful — a place that works just as well for date night as it does for a round of margs after work.

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