DougCo Drop – September 24th – Sticky Date Cake in Time for Cuffing Season, Consolidation in the RE Industry, and More!

If you didn’t make it out to the Colorado Highland Games, you definitely missed out! I had an awesome time hanging out with these guys…

picking out my next car…

listening to bagpipes, watching rugby, eating fish & chips, and much more! They just got approval to host it at the Denver Polo Club for the next five years so be on the lookout next year! I’m definitely going to be looking at kilts for next year…

Saddle Up

🎤 Music & Concerts

 🎤 Member Concert: Those Crazy Nights 
 📅 Date: Sunday, September 28
 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
 📍 Location: Pace Center, Parker
 🎤 Detail: Brings the spirit of Journey and other 80s classics in a special members-only concert event.

 🎤 Live Music: Blinker Fluid 
 📅 Date: Friday, September 26
 ⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
 📍 Location: Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
 🎤 Detail: A high-energy dance band.

 🎤 Live Music at the Altar: Wendy Woo 
 📅 Date: Friday, September 26
 ⏰ Time: 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
 📍 Location: Sinners & Saints Bar, Castle Rock
 🎤 Detail: “Woo’s dexterous music works its way into your consciousness like an Edward Hopper painting or a shot of smooth rum.”

 🎤 Live Music On the Patio: The Country Music Project 
 📅 Date: Thursday, September 25
 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
 📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
 🎤 Detail: A super hot, Colorado country music group.

🎤 Live Music On the Patio: Tripping Griswolds 
 📅 Date: Friday, September 26
 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
 📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
 🎤 Detail: Lots of classic rock-n-roll from the 70s with some other fun dance tunes thrown in from other eras to satisfy the whole crowd, from little kids to 90-year-olds.

 🎤 Live Music On the Patio: Half Way There 
 📅 Date: Saturday, September 27
 ⏰ Time: 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
 📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
 🎤 Detail: A tribute to the music of Bon Jovi the pop-metal superstars who changed the face of Rock and Roll.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family

 🍁 Parker Fall Festival 
 📅 Date: Saturday, September 27
 ⏰ Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
 📍Location: O’Brien Park, Parker
 🍁 Detail: Beer garden, axe-throwing booth, food vendors, and kid’s activities!

🍂 Oktoberfest Celebration 
 📅 Date: Saturday, September 27
 ⏰ Time: 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM
 📍Location: Highlands Ranch Town Center, Highlands Ranch
 🍂 Detail: The welcoming of the fall harvest with music, food, and fun for all.

 🎭 Family-Friendly Improv Show! 
 📅 Date: Saturday, September 27
 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
 📍Location: Bodega Beer Company, Parker
 🎭 Detail: Participate if you like, or just watch.

🌾 Harvest Day 
 📅 Date: Saturday, September 27
 ⏰ Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
 📍Location: CALF’s Lowell Ranch, Castle Rock
 🌾 Detail: Fun for the whole family with pumpkin patches, hay rides, vendors, ranch animals, food, and more.

 🍁 Fall Festival 
 📅 Date: Sunday, September 28
 ⏰ Time: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
 📍Location: Alidade Brewing, Castle Rock
 🍁 Detail: BBQ & food trucks, baby goats & family fun, live music & kids crafts.

🧘‍♀️ Fitness

 🤸🏻‍♀️ Mat Movement 
 📅 Date: Friday, September 26
 ⏰ Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
 📍 Location: Douglas County Libraries at Castle Pines
 🤸🏻‍♀️ Detail: Strengthen and tone your entire core with this dynamic mat Pilates class that blends mindful movement, flowing sequences, and a touch of dance fundamentals.

 🏃‍♀️ HRCA Oktoberfest 5K 
 📅 Date: Saturday, September 27
 ⏰ Time: 9:00 AM
 📍 Location: Dorchester Street, Littleton
 🏃‍♀️ Detail: A mix of sidewalk and gravel trails suited for all ability levels with a pancake breakfast after the race from Flippin Flapjacks’.

 ⛳ Annual Benefit Golf Tournament 
 📅 Date: Monday, September 29
 ⏰ Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
 📍 Location: University of Denver Golf Club, Highlands Ranch
 ⛳ Detail: Enjoy 18 holes of golf, a meal, drinks, and prizes for the top three teams.

🎨 Arts & Culture

 🔮 A Creative Market & Holistic Expo 
 📅 Date: Saturday, September 27 & Sunday, September 28
 ⏰ Time: Sat: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM & Sun: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
 📍 Location: Douglas County Fairgrounds, Castle Rock
 🔮 Detail: Artists & craftsmen, healing practitioners, nutrition & wellness, intuitive readings, jewelry, crystals, apparel presentations & workshops, and more.

🎬 Lutheran High School Presents: The 39 Steps 
 📅 Date: Friday, September 26 - Sunday, September 28
 ⏰ Time: 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM Showtimes
 📍 Location: The Schoolhouse, Parker
 🎬 Detail: A fast-paced, laugh-out-loud spy spoof where Alfred Hitchcock meets Monty Python.

 🎨 Sea Turtles or Ladybugs Mixed Media Painting 
 📅 Date: Thursday, September 25
 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
 📍 Location: Downhill Brewing Co., Parker
 🎨 Detail: A relaxing evening of creativity and fun where you can let your inner artists shine as you paint with step by step instructions for a talented instructor.

🖌️ Happy Fall Wood Sign 
 📅 Date: Saturday, September 27
 ⏰ Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
 📍 Location: The Wine Barrel, Parker
 🖌️ Detail: All painting materials and apron provided with one 12 round wood sign, paint pens for writing, and plaid ribbon.

 📖 Author Event: Ellen O'Clover "The Heartbreak Hotel" 
 📅 Date: Sunday, September 28
 ⏰ Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
 📍 Location: Bodega Beer Company, Parker
 📖 Detail: Celebrate the release of new adult romance novel “The Heartbreak Hotel” from Colorado author Ellen O’Clover.

🍽️ Food & Drink

 🍷 Parker Wine Walks 
 📅 Date: Friday, September 26
 ⏰ Time: 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
 📍 Location: Downtown Parker, Parker
 🍷 Detail: Gather your family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors and come enjoy a beautiful evening in Downtown Parker.

 🥃 Whiskey Tasting ~ Whiskies of the World! 
 📅 Date: Friday, September 26
 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 9:15 PM
 📍 Location: Cherokee Ranch & Castle, Sedalia
 🥃 Detail: Join as we celebrate Single Malt Whiskey and its many reflections across the world for the September Whiskey Tasting Experience.

 🥨 Oktoberfest 
 📅 Date: Friday, September 26
 ⏰ Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
 📍 Location: Sterling Center, Littleton
 🥨 Detail: Live music, Stein games, fresh pretzels, Bohemian Biergarten food truck.

 🥢 Food Truck Monday: One Luv Eats 
 📅 Date: Monday, September 29
 ⏰ Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
 📍 Location: Larkspur Community Park, Larkspur
 🥢 Detail: Enjoy Asian cuisine from One Luv Eats.

🍹 Nightlife & Entertainment

 🫎 Elk Bugling Sightings & Sounds! Bring Your Own Dinner 
 📅 Date: Thursday, September 25
 ⏰ Time: 5:00 PM
 📍 Location: Cherokee Ranch & Castle, Sedalia
 🫎 Detail: Learn about the mating rituals of Elk while listening to their beautiful rutting calls and taking in the Castle’s views and dazzling colors as Autumn appears.

🎟️ Be The Good Ones 2025 Night of Giving Silent Auction and Party 
 📅 Date: Thursday, September 25
 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
 📍 Location: Deep Space Parker Lounge & Event Center, Parker
 🎟️ Detail: A thoughtfully curated dinner, full-service cash bar, wide selection of exclusive auction items, exciting games and prizes, and swag bags.

🎤 Comedy Night 18+ - The Matriarchy Show 
 📅 Date: Saturday, September 27
 ⏰ Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
 📍 Location: Sterling Center, Littleton
 🎤 Detail: A great night of laughs with professional comedians known all over Colorado.

 🧠 Trivia Night 
 📅 Date: Wednesday, September 24
 ⏰ Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
 📍 Location: Sterling Center, Littleton
 🧠 Detail: Grab a team and head to the Sterling Center for a trivia night where Party Pro DJs will lead you through rounds of trivia.

 🏆 Music Video Bingo 
 📅 Date: Thursday, September 25
 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
 📍 Location: Sterling Center, Littleton
 🏆 Detail: Join Turn It Up DJs for a fun night–free to play.

🎤 Karaoke with Avery Every Wednesday! 
 📅 Date: Wednesday, September 24
 ⏰ Time: 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
 📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
 🎤 Detail: Fun and exciting singers with mixes of dance sets.

🚗 Worth the Drive

 🍻 The Inverness Glow Show 
 📅 Date: Friday, September 26 - Saturday, September 27
 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
 📍 Location: The Inverness Denver, Englewood
 🍻 Detail: Family-friendly festival featuring illuminated hot air balloons against the night sky, live music, food and drinks, and kid’s activities!

🗓️ On the Horizon

 🍂 Happy Dog Ranch Fall Festival
 📅 Date: Saturday, October 4
 ⏰ Time: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
 📍 Location: Happy Dog Ranch, Sedalia
 🍂 Detail: Fun-filled fall afternoon on the ranch, complete with carriage rides, animal interactions, face painting, and more.

 🏃 Castle Rock Trail Festival / liveBIG Run
 📅 Date: Saturday, October 4
 ⏰ Time: 6:00 AM - 3:30 PM
 📍 Location: Miller Park, Castle Rock
 🏃 Detail: Push your limits and create memories at the same time. Family adventure run, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and 50K!

 🍻 Lone Tree’s Craftoberfest
 📅 Date: Saturday, October 4
 ⏰ Time: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
 📍 Location: Schweiger Ranch, Lone Tree
 🍻 Detail: Samples from CO breweries, live music, food trucks, stein hoisting competition, and more!

🍻 Schweiger Ranch Fall Festival
📅 Date: Saturday, October 5
 ⏰ Time: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
 📍 Location: Schweiger Ranch, Lone Tree
 🍻 Detail: Pumpkin patches, horse carriage rides, marshmallow roasting and ranch exploration and more! 

Land and Lore

Well the big just keep getting bigger: Compass has agreed to acquire Anywhere Real Estate — the parent company of Coldwell Banker, Century 21, Sotheby’s, Corcoran, and more — in a $1.6B all-stock deal.

The combined company will be valued around $10B, bringing nearly 340,000 agents worldwide under one roof. By sales volume, Compass was already #1 in the U.S. and Anywhere was #2 — together, they would’ve closed more than $400 billion in transactions last year. For comparison, #3 brokerage eXp finished at $153B.

Why it matters in Douglas County:

• Many of our local agents hang their hats with these brands — so expect ripple effects in how teams and offices are structured.

• This is another sign of consolidation as the market stays slow.

• Bigger referral networks and more resources could change how buying and selling plays out on the ground.

The deal isn’t final until 2026, pending shareholder and regulatory approval. But if it goes through, Compass will cement its spot as the largest residential brokerage in the world — and the “big names” in Douglas County just got bigger.

Realtor.com Article

Hometown Headlines

Potential Big Changes Ahead for the District That’s Home to Sazón
TLDR: The City of Lone Tree is reviewing a proposal to amend the Westbrook Entertainment & Sports District Planned Development — yes, the same district where we once featured Sazón in Tried & True. Back then we noted it was “next to a massage parlor in a retail center anchored by a dark, empty theater…not exactly prime vibes.”

Now, a new plan is on the table: updated design standards, a pedestrian promenade, public parks, and — you guessed it — more mixed-use development. Public comment runs through Nov. 3, with hearings scheduled later this fall.

Heroes Gala Raises $570k
TLDR: The third annual Douglas County Community Foundation Heroes Gala took place September 12 at Centennial Airport, honoring first responders with demos, games, and community support. By the end of the night, more than $570,000 was raised (including a $200,000 county match) for the Community Emergency Relief Fund and upcoming nonprofit grants.

Big Weekend Ahead: University Blvd Closure for Pedestrian Bridge Install
TLDR: Crews are placing three massive trusses for the new C-470 Trail pedestrian bridge over University Blvd. To keep everyone safe, University Blvd will fully close between C-470 and County Line Rd from 9 PM Sat, Sept 27 to 5 AM Sun, Sept 28 (with a possible extra closure Sunday night if needed). Use South Broadway as an alternate route. This new bridge will eliminate 8 lanes of crossings for cyclists and pedestrians, making the trail safer and smoother.

Late Collapse Costs Broncos After Payton’s Bold Gamble
TLDR: Sean Payton dialed up his boldest call as Broncos head coach, converting a gutsy 4th-and-2 with a trick formation that set up a momentum-swinging touchdown before halftime. Denver surged ahead 17-10 early in the third quarter and had chances to bury the Chargers, but costly penalties, missed deep throws from Bo Nix, and another late-game collapse doomed them. Despite standout performances from Courtland Sutton (118 yards, 1 TD), J.K. Dobbins (86 second-half rush yards), and a defense that tallied five sacks, the Broncos couldn’t finish. Justin Herbert engineered two clutch drives in the final minutes, capped by Cameron Dicker’s 43-yard field goal as time expired, handing Denver a 23-20 defeat. Now 1-2 after back-to-back gut-punch losses, the Broncos head into a critical Monday night matchup with Cincinnati needing to prove they can close games.

Broncos & Special Olympics Colorado Team Up for First-Ever Unified Flag Football Jamboree
TLDR:  The Denver Broncos partnered with Special Olympics Colorado to host the inaugural Unified Flag Football Jamboree, bringing together six teams from Denver and Aurora Public Schools for a day of inclusion, community, and fun. Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton, whose sister has Down Syndrome, joined the event, sharing how Special Olympics athletes’ passion inspires his own love for the game. “I get way more from them than I think they'll ever get from me,” he said. Special Olympics Colorado president Megan Scremin called the event “a once-in-a-lifetime experience” for athletes, partners, and coaches. Students agreed, saying it felt less like a rivalry and more like “a big family.” With more than 750 schools now involved, Unified Sports is helping reshape school culture across Colorado—one game at a time.

Tried & True

🍝 Tried & True: Ovest Via Ristorante - Parker

Ovest Via opened in the Parker Hotel back in January and has quickly become one of the go-to Italian spots around here. It’s a true scratch kitchen with a strong wine list and a great lineup of cocktails.

We started with bread and olive oil/balsamic, plus their fall Brussels sprouts — roasted butternut squash, pepitas, crispy pork belly, burrata, and a spicy honey glaze. I’ve had bacon in Brussels before, but pork belly is a move I can fully get behind. Highly recommend this as a shared appetizer. The beet salad also hit the table early — both impressive in size and in taste, and another dish that works well as a shared starter.

For mains, I went with the braised short rib over saffron risotto — very filling and rich. Others at the table had the fusilli con salsiccia (plenty of food, great flavor) and the short rib ravioli, definitely didn’t disappoint.

And then dessert — Ovest makes their own gelato, and the vanilla came on top of the Sticky Date Cake, a warm sponge cake with an amazing toffee caramel sauce. Suffice it to say, it’s insane. Honestly, I’d make the drive back just for that dessert alone. (And yes, there were three spoons. I don’t want to hear about my third-wheeling. I’ve been in worse situations — like being the unexpected 17th wheel at a birthday party. I survived.)

Check out their menu and their Instagram and some photos from our visit below:

Poll Results from last week: French Toast was the clear winner. I feel very alone as a waffle lover…

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