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- DougCo Drop – October 22nd – Rollercoaster Emotions, Debt Deals, and a Retailer Making a Comeback
DougCo Drop – October 22nd – Rollercoaster Emotions, Debt Deals, and a Retailer Making a Comeback
Drips from the Drop: Rollercoaster Emotions, Debt Deals, and a Retailer Making a Comeback
Connor Tien
October 22, 2025
Deep breath. I think I’ve finally recovered from this past weekend’s Broncos game that completely fried my limbic system, but I’m still heading into this weekend with a guarded heart.
If you’re looking for a new spot to watch the game at, check out Trifecta down in Castle Rock. They’re in their soft opening phase and gearing up for a full grand opening in the next month or so. Read more about it in our sister newsletter here or check out a sneak peek on our Instagram here.
Saddle Up
🎤 Music & Concerts
🎤 Live Music! Walker Williams Band
📅 Date: Thursday, October 23
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM - 11:30 PM
📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
🎤 Detail: Walker Williams Band delivers a boot-stomping good time with covers of today’s hottest country hits, classic country rockers, and a few surprise tunes from across the musical spectrum.
🎤 Dueling Pianos
📅 Date: Friday, October 24
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Wide Awake Eatery, Castle Rock
🎤 Detail: Castle Rock, get ready to clap, sing, and laugh your way through a high-energy night of musical mayhem! Colorado’s top dueling pianists bring the heat with crowd favorites, solos, and spontaneous fun.
🎤 Live Music! Hot Lunch Band
📅 Date: Friday, October 24 & Saturday, October 25
⏰ Time: 8:30 PM - 12:30 AM
📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
🎤 Detail: Get ready to groove with Hot Lunch Band, Denver’s legendary R&B soul dance powerhouse! Since 1981, they’ve been lighting up stages nationwide with irresistible hits from the ’60s to today.
🎤 Live Music! Josh Blackburn
📅 Date: Saturday, October 25
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
🎤 Detail: An exciting young songwriter and guitar player who astounds audiences with his prolific musicianship.
🎤 Renegade
📅 Date: Saturday, October 25
⏰ Time: 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
🎤 Detail: Renegade is a Colorado-based country band that entertains at a high-level, delivering Nashville style music.
👨👩👧👦 Family
🎃 Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns
📅 Date: Wednesday, October 22 - Sunday, November 2
⏰ Time: 6:15 PM
📍 Location: The Hudson Gardens, Littleton
🎃 Detail: The Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns delights all ages on a glowing trail of thousands of magnificent, hand-carved pumpkins.
🔥 Bonfire, BBQ, and Brews
📅 Date: Friday, October 24
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Village Square Shopping Center, Castle Pines
🔥 Detail: Gather ‘round the fire for a cozy evening of smoky BBQ, craft brews, and starlit skies.
👻 Haunted Forest & Haunted Forest Jr.
📅 Date: Friday, October 24 - Saturday, October 25
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
📍 Location: Parking at Rocky Heights Middle School, Lone Tree
👻 Detail: This eerie ¾-mile trail winds through shadowy woods where your worst fears may be hiding in plain sight or just out of view.
👽 Cult of Cthulhu
📅 Date: Friday, October 24 - Saturday, October 25
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM
📍 Location: Bodega Beer Company, Parker
👽 Detail: Join rival cults, chant eldritch rites, and laugh nervously in the face of cosmic dread. Tickets start at $15; VIP options available. Ages 13+; content includes loud noises, flashing lights, and theatrical violence.
🍂 Fall Festival
📅 Date: Saturday, October 25
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Village Square Business District, Castle Pines
🍂 Detail: This community favorite is the perfect way to celebrate the season with family, friends, and neighbors.
🎃 Pumpkin Carving and Trunk-or-Treat!
📅 Date: Saturday, October 25
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
📍 Location: The Gardens, Highlands Ranch
🎃 Detail: Located in Highlands Ranch, The Gardens Garden Center is your one-stop shop for plants, trees, shrubs, soil, mulch, pots and more.
🪄 The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System
📅 Date: Tuesday, October 28
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM
📍 Location: Pace Center, Parker
🪄 Detail: Hop on the Magic School Bus for an out-of-this-world adventure! Join Ms. Frizzle and her class as they journey through the cosmos in this vibrant musical adaptation of the beloved Scholastic book series.
🍽️ Food and Drinks
🍷 Roots Run Deep: An Evening of Wine & Story
📅 Date: Friday, October 24
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Cherokee Ranch & Castle, Sedalia
🍷 Detail: For the first time, a single vineyard takes center stage, offering guests a deeper connection to its varietals and stories.
🍴 Penfolds Winemaker's Dinner
📅 Date: Tuesday, October 28
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Black Haus Tavern, Parker
🍴 Detail: Join us Tuesday, October 28 at 6:00 PM for an exclusive wine-paired dinner featuring Andrew Baldwin, winemaker for Australia’s legendary Penfolds.
🎨 Arts & Culture
👻 Walking with Ghosts: Real Life Hauntings with Amy Bruni
📅 Date: Friday, October 24
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM
📍 Location: Pace Center, Parker
👻 Detail: Spend a spooky evening with paranormal expert, author, and podcaster Amy Bruni at Parker Arts on October 24, 2025!
👻 The Rocky Horror Picture Show
📅 Date: Saturday, October 25
⏰ Time: 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Pace Center, Parker
👻 Detail: Enjoy Colorado’s Elusive Ingredient in a fun, interactive shadow cast performance.
🙎♂️ Matt Fraser – America’s Top Psychic Medium
📅 Date: Sunday, October 26
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM
📍 Location: Pace Center, Parker
🙎♂️ Detail: Experience emotional, jaw-dropping connections that will leave you gasping, laughing, and crying. Tickets start at $79, with VIP meet-and-greet options available.
🍹 Nightlife & Entertainment
🎶 AC/BC Social – Littleton Mead Cottage
📅 Date: Thursday, October 23
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Honnibrook Craft Meadery, Littleton
🎶 Detail: Join us for an evening of connection, conversation, and cozy vibes in one of Littleton’s most charming settings. Whether you're AC, BC, or just curious, come mingle and make memories.
🃏 The Pub & Grub Comedy Tour: Starring Kelechi Jaavaid (KJay)
📅 Date: Thursday, October 23
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
🃏 Detail: The night of laughter is coming back this October! We are kicking things off with Kelechi Jaavaid (KJay) who's been seen on BET, FOX-TV, TMZ, The WB, and CBS.
🎤 Avery Kyle Entertainment
📅 Date: Wednesday, October 22
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM - 11:30 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!
🗓️ On the Horizon
🎭 Masquerade Murder Mystery Dinner
📅 Date: Thursday, October 30
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Black Haus Tavern, Littleton
🎭 Detail: Step into a world of mystery and elegance on Thursday, October 30 at 6:00 PM as Black Haus Tavern in Littleton transforms into the Billionaires Club Masquerade Ball.
🧵 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.
🚗 Worth the Drive
🐴 Hallowhinny Pony Rides & Trunk-or-Treat!
📅 Date: Saturday, October 25
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
📍 Location: Mile High Equestrian & Rescue, Centennial
🐴 Detail: Saddle up for a Halloween bash like no other! HalloWhinny brings barnyard magic with stick horse races, spooky face painting, candy galore, and a costume contest that’s pure fun.
Four Season Co.
With a long-standing presence in Colorado, the Taggart family has built a strong reputation in the construction industry. Their latest venture has led them to the permanent lighting business. As an authorized dealer for Jellyfish Lighting in Colorado, the Taggart Family's Four Seasons Lighting Co. has been based in Castle Rock for two years and is poised for continued growth. The company offers a range of lighting solutions, from accent and security to holiday and special occasion lighting.
Request a complimentary estimate now by clicking here and use code JF25 for 25% off installation.
"Making a house a home, one light at a time.”
Wanted, Help
Local jobs and opportunities across Douglas County.
If you’re hiring, reach out at [email protected] for a free posting.
Land and Lore
Compark Business Campus Debt Increase
Douglas County commissioners unanimously approved an amendment to the Compark Business Campus Metropolitan District service plan on Oct. 14, increasing the district’s total debt limit from $50 million to $68.5 million and clarifying its authority under state law to create subdistricts if needed.
County staff described the update as a financial adjustment reflecting higher construction and financing costs since the district’s original 1998 plan. The change also lowers the maximum allowable interest rate and underwriting discount.
The district, located along E-470 near Chambers Road in both unincorporated Douglas County and the Town of Parker, is primarily commercial, home to businesses like American Furniture Warehouse and Rocky Vista University.
Commissioner Abe Laydon noted growing activity in the area, referencing the recent Northrup Grumman ribbon cutting and saying, “We’ve signed more NDAs than we care to admit.”
While my knee-jerk reaction to an increased debt limit is to be cautious, this seems like a case of the county positioning itself for future business investment. I’ll be in wait-and-see mode to watch what kind of development follows.
Source: Land Use Meeting/Public Hearing
Return from the Grave: Toys “R” Us Continues its Comeback Plan
The iconic toy retailer continues its comeback with plans for 30 new U.S. stores this holiday season, including a location at Park Meadows in Lone Tree. Toys “R” Us filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and was sold to WHP Global in 2021, which has since been working to bring the brand back to life.
The rollout includes eight new flagship stores and more than 20 seasonal pop-ups nationwide. Colorado is getting one of each — a flagship at Denver Premium Outlets in Thornton and a seasonal shop at Park Meadows in Lone Tree. CEO Gideon Schlessinger said the expansion aims to “deliver the same experience nationwide” and reestablish the brand ahead of the holiday rush.
Source: 9 News
Poll results from last week: where are you today on Zebulon?
Strongly support - 7%
Lean support - 3%
Not sure / need more info - 7%
Lean oppose - 34%
Strongly oppose - 48%
Hometown Headlines
Douglas County to draft new school security funding plan
TLDR: Commissioners directed staff to create a proposal where the county would match up to 50% of school security costs. The goal is to share expenses with the district for safety upgrades and personnel, with details expected later this fall.
Douglas County marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month
TLDR: The board issued a proclamation recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Leaders highlighted expanded safe house capacity and local partnerships that support victims and families.
Castle Rock Police launch drone first-responder program
TLDR: Castle Rock Police rolled out a new drone-as-first-responder program that can fly up to 400 feet and reach scenes in about 85 seconds on average. The department says the technology will help officers respond faster to crashes, thefts, and emergencies across town. The three-year program costs about $200,000 annually.
Minor earthquake felt near Castle Rock
TLDR: A magnitude 3.0 earthquake hit Friday afternoon just southeast of Denver, with the epicenter near Elbert and light shaking reported around Castle Rock and Black Forest. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake wasn’t linked to fracking but likely came from minor natural faults in the area.
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