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- DougCo Drop – September 17th – Weekend Brunch Plans Secured, DougCo's Highest Home, and Autumn Events Begin!
DougCo Drop – September 17th – Weekend Brunch Plans Secured, DougCo's Highest Home, and Autumn Events Begin!
Drips from the Drop: Weekend Brunch Plans Secured, DougCo's Highest Home, and Autumn Events Begin!

Well, fall has fully arrived and I’m overjoyed because that means my quarter-zips and vests are going to be locked into rotation. Yes, I’ve been known to wear both at the same time — I don’t even want to know how many different fashion laws that breaks. It also means that my calendar is filling up faster than my coffee mug with PSL (pumpkin spice latte — I just learned that acronym) and I’m on the hunt for the best fall coffee item, so if you have any suggestions, please send them to me!

Saddle Up
🎤 Music & Concerts
🎤 Live Music On the Patio: That Eighties Band
📅 Date: Friday, September 19
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
🎤 Detail: One of the most popular 80s tribute bands in America.
🎤 Live Music On the Patio: Wild Bill Outlaws
📅 Date: Sunday, September 21
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
🎤 Detail: A high-energy acoustic rock band that plays all your favorite classic rock & blues songs along with some of today’s hits.
🎤 Live Music On the Patio: Ninety2K
📅 Date: Sunday, September 21
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
🎤 Detail: A high-energy band performing rock, alternative, pop, R&B, and more.
🎤 Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra Presents Latin Rhythms
📅 Date: Friday, September 19
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM
📍 Location: Lone Tree Arts Center, Lone Tree
🎤 Detail: Experience the vibrant energy and passionate melodies of Latin music, featuring the brilliant guitar soloist Masakazu Ito performing Joaquín Rodrigo’s iconic Concierto de Aranjuez.
🎤 Live Music: Chris Cagle
📅 Date: Sunday, September 21
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM
📍 Location: Pace Center, Parker
🎤 Detail: Back-to-back country hits.
🎤 Summer Concert Series-BadCO
📅 Date: Friday, September 19
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Ascent Village Pavilion Park, Littleton
🎤 Detail: Concert series at the new Ascent Village Pavilion Park with food trucks onsite.
🎤 Tunes for Trails/Perks for Parks Free Concert - DanceX
📅 Date: Thursday, September 18
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Amphitheater at Miller Park, Castle Rock
🎤 Detail: Pack a picnic and enjoy time with the family or purchase food and alcohol at the venue.
🎤 Live Music: Josh Blackburn
📅 Date: Friday, September 19
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Honnibrook Craft Meadery, Castle Rock
🎤 Detail: Pack a picnic and enjoy time with the family or purchase food and alcohol at the venue.
🎤 Littleton Station Band Live
📅 Date: Saturday, September 20
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM - 11:30 PM
📍 Location: The Stagecoach Saloon, Franktown
🎤 Detail: A night packed with powerhouse vocals, high-energy musicianship, and a setlist that’ll keep you on your feet all night long.
👨👩👧👦 Family
🎬 Drive-In Movie Night: Moana 2
📅 Date: Saturday, September 20
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
📍Location: Future Soaring Hawk Park, Castle Pines
🎬 Detail: Gather your family, friends, and neighbors for a night of nostalgia, where classic drive-in fun meets modern-day cinema at an unforgettable evening under the stars.
🚔 First Responder Fun Fest
📅 Date: Saturday, September 20
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
📍Location: The Vistas at Park Meadows, Lone Tree
🚔 Detail: Hands-on fun for the whole family with fire trucks, police cruisers, rescue gear, and more.
🌽 Corn Maze
📅 Date: Friday, September 19
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
📍Location: Chatfield Farms, Littleton
🌽 Detail: Fly through twists and turns in this year’s bird-of-prey-themed maze, featuring eagles, falcons, and vultures.
💃 Line Dancing Lessons with Jennifer
📅 Date: Sunday, September 21
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
📍Location: Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
💃 Detail: Bring the whole crew for an evening of dancing, laughter, and family fun with family meal deals and drink specials.
🎉 Parker Proud Showcase
📅 Date: Saturday, September 20
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
📍Location: O’Brien Park, Parker
🎉 Detail: An exciting, interactive event designed to connect you with the many people and departments that keep our Town running smoothly from interactive booths to family-friendly activities.
🧘♀️ Fitness
🏃 6th Annual Walk to End ALS
📅 Date: Sunday, September 21
⏰ Time: 1:30 PM
📍 Location: 105 West Brewing Co., Castle Rock
🏃 Detail: Honoring the memories of those who have lost their battle with ALS.
⛳ 25th Annual "Fall Swing" Golf Tournament
📅 Date: Monday, September 22
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM
📍 Location: Perry Park Country Club, Larkspur
⛳ Detail: Golf tournament benefitting Castle Rock Senior Activity Center.
🏃♀️ Miles 4 Madison
📅 Date: Saturday, September 20
⏰ Time: 8:45 AM - 12:00 PM
📍 Location: Providence Park, Littleton
🏃♀️ Detail: A 5K/1K Fun Run to help provide educational and recreational opportunities for families with children of diverse abilities.
🎨 Arts & Culture
🎨 SPARK! Hands on Activity: Memories in the Making with Purple Art
📅 Date: Thursday, September 18
⏰ Time: 1:30 PM
📍 Location: Lone Tree Arts Center
🎨 Detail: Create art with a facilitator from Purple Art, encouraging both imagination and conversation.
🍁 Autumn Arts & Crafts Fest
📅 Date: Saturday, September 20 - Sunday, September 21
⏰ Time: Sat. 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM & Sun. 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Larkspur Community Park, Larkspur
🍁 Detail: Unique and colorful Arts and Crafts booths, food and drink, live music, and face painting.
🦋 A Rally of Hope for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
📅 Date: Wednesday, September 17
⏰ Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
📍 Location: Festival Park, Castle Rock
🦋 Detail: CRPD invites the community to talk about mental health at its sixth annual A Rally of Hope event.
🍽️ Food & Drink
🍻 Oktoberfest
📅 Date: Saturday, September 20
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Wilcox Square, Castle Rock
🍻 Detail: Enjoy live German music while indulging in delicious offerings from food trucks, refreshing beverage providers, and unique vendors.
🥂 Vine, Dine & Shine: A Western Rendezvous
📅 Date: Sunday, September 21
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Highlands Ranch Mansion, Highlands Ranch
🥂 Detail: Champagne and caviar followed by a gourmet, three-course dinner featuring fresh farm-to-table fare and fine wine pairings from Delicato Family Vineyards.
🌾 Hop Festival
📅 Date: Saturday, September 20
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
📍 Location: Chatfield Farms, Littleton
🌾 Detail: Sip samples from some of Colorado’s favorite breweries, learn about hops and other crops from farmers, enjoy acoustic performances by local artists, and grab a bite to eat at the food tents.
🥟 Food Truck Monday: One Luv Eats
📅 Date: Monday, September 22
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Larkspur Community Park, Larkspur
🥟 Detail: Enjoy a veteran owned Asian cuisine made with the highest quality ingredients.
🍹 Nightlife & Entertainment
🥃 Colorado Highland Games
📅 Date: Saturday, September 20 - Sunday, September 21
⏰ Time: All Day
📍 Location: Denver Polo Club, Sedalia
🥃 Detail: Previously known as the Colorado Scottish Festival. Come for food, wine, beer and spirits, dancing and music, kid’s activities, and much more.
🏎️ 10th Annual Colorado Car Addicts Charity Car Show
📅 Date: Saturday, September 20
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Outlets at Castle Rock, Castle Rock
🏎️ Detail: Trophies handed out, so polish up that car, truck, or motorcycle and join all of the car addicts for this great annual event.
🎙️ Comedy Show: Alvin Kuai Headlines with Special Guests
📅 Date: Sunday, September 21
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
📍 Location: Crowfoot Valley Coffee, Castle Rock
🎙️ Detail: A funny, convenient, and intimate comedy show with explicit content appropriate for adults.
🚗 Golden Harvest Car Show
📅 Date: Sunday, September 21
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM
📍 Location: Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
🚗 Detail: A family-friendly day packed with classic cars, live entertainment, games, and great food & drinks.
🚘 Annual Charity Car & Bike Show plus Silent Auction
📅 Date: Saturday, September 20
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Lone Tree Brewing Co, Lone Tree
🚘 Detail: Have a sweet ride to show off? Bring it out! Food and drinks available.
🎶 Pop Divas Masquerade for Project I See You
📅 Date: Saturday, September 20
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM (VIP Event begins at 6:00 PM)
📍 Location: The Schoolhouse, Parker
🎶 Detail: Pre-show mixer with refreshments, meet and greet, and photo opportunity with tributes to Lady Gaga, P!nk, and Madonna.
🌌 September Star Party
📅 Date: Friday, September 19
⏰ Time: 5:30 PM - 11:59 PM
📍 Location: Sandstone Ranch Open Space, Douglas County
🌌 Detail: Set up your telescope, attend an informational talk, and observe and enjoy the night sky.
🧠 Trivia Night
📅 Date: Wednesday, September 17
⏰ 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.
🏆 Bingo Night
📅 Date: Thursday, September 18
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
📍 Location: Sterling Center, Littleton
🏆 Detail: Six rounds with prizes for the winner of each round.
🎰 Bingo Brunch: Clueless Movie Theme
📅 Date: Saturday, September 20
⏰ Time: 11:45 AM
📍 Location: Cranelli’s Italian Restaurant, Lone Tree
🎰 Detail: Dress in your best “Clueless movie” outfits for this once a month bingo event.
🫎 Elk Bugling Sightings & Sounds! Bring Your Own Dinner
📅 Date: Thursday, September 18
⏰ 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.
🤠 Legends of Agriculture Award Dinner
📅 Date: Friday, September 19
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM
📍 Location: CALF’s Lowell Ranch, Castle Rock
🤠 Detail: Cocktails, dinner, silent auction, and live entertainment.
🎤 Karaoke with Avery Every Wednesday!
📅 Date: Wednesday, September 17
⏰ 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
🍻 Denver Oktoberfest
📅 Date: Friday, September 19 - Sunday, September 21
⏰ Time: Fri - 2:00 PM - 11:00 PM, Sat - 11:00 AM - 11:30 PM, Sun - 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Larimer & 21st, Denver
🍻 Detail: Beer, stein hoisting, live music, keg bowling, dog races, costume contests and other adult beverages!
🗓️ On the Horizon
🍂 Happy Dog Ranch Fall Festival
📅 Date: Saturday, October 4th
⏰ 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 4th
⏰ 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!
🍻 Oktoberfest: Highlands Ranch
📅 Date: Saturday, September 27
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Town Center, Highlands Ranch
🍻 Detail: Music, food, and fun for all. Kicking off with a 5K at 9:00am. Full festivities at 1:00pm.

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Land and Lore
Sitting atop the two highest elevation lots in all of Douglas County, Summit Haus is a $12M Parker estate that looks more like a private resort than a family home. The brand-new build packs in 7 bedrooms, 7 baths, and almost 7,000 sq. ft. of space — plus a 20-meter pool, hot tub, tennis and basketball courts, an in-ground trampoline, and panoramic views of both the mountains and Denver’s skyline. Oh, and there’s a second lot ready for your own football field…or another house. Now that’s a tough decision I wish I had to make.
Last week’s poll results: what should Empower Field’s site become, assuming the new stadium is built??
27% - A big public park
33% - A new entertainment district (restaurants, bars, shops)
40% - A sports/rec complex (youth fields, indoor courts, community center)
0% - Just keep it a stadium/event space for now

Hometown Headlines
Emagine, a Michigan Based Company, Will Renovate the Now Closed AMC in Parker
TLDR: Emagine Entertainment, a Michigan-based luxury theater chain, is opening its first Colorado location in Parker by renovating the recently closed AMC Classic Twenty Mile 10. The 32,000 sq ft theater will reopen in spring 2026 as Emagine Parker, featuring 10 upgraded auditoriums (including two premium EMX® large-format screens with 4K projection and Dolby Atmos), heated recliners in every auditorium, and a full bar offering cocktails, beer, and wine. The project aims to create a high-end entertainment hub for the community, filling the gap left by the AMC closure.
AdventHealth Castle Rock Has Partnered with DCSD to Rename Football Stadium
TLDR: AdventHealth Castle Rock has partnered with the Douglas County School District to rename the community football stadium AdventHealth Castle Rock Stadium. The five-year agreement places the hospital’s branding throughout the venue, including midfield, the scoreboard, and the press box, while also reinforcing AdventHealth’s role as a community partner. Leaders say the partnership reflects a commitment to local schools, families, and youth, aligning health care with school pride and community spirit. The new name was unveiled during the first Friday night football games, where AdventHealth also provided fans with clear bags to meet new stadium policies.
Douglas County Greenlights Pumpkin Patch & Colorado Highland Games
TLDR: Douglas County Commissioners have approved two major community events: the Gillies Pumpkin Patch at Lake Gulch Road and the newly rebranded Colorado Highland Games (formerly the Scottish Festival) at Airport Road. The Highland Games are secured for five years, featuring music, culture, and traditional athletics with attendance projected to grow from 1,500 to 2,500 people daily. While traffic concerns were raised, the Sheriff’s Office will provide control, and organizers must meet safety requirements. Together, these approvals underscore the county’s commitment to family-friendly fun, cultural celebration, and thoughtful planning for community impact.
Whole Foods Opening Up In Parker
TLDR: Whole Foods Market will open a 43,000-square-foot store in Parker on October 9, bringing more than 700 locally sourced products from 115 Colorado suppliers. The new location will feature organic produce, a specialty cheese and pasta section, full-service meat and seafood counters, prepared foods and bakery items, an extensive craft beer and wine selection, and a wellness and beauty department stocked with local brands. Opening day includes free samples, giveaways for the first 300 customers, and a donation of a refrigerated van to the Help & Hope Center. Whole Foods is also extending support to local producers through its lending program, including a loan to Denver-based SAM+LEO.
Douglas County Commits $15M to New Parks in Parker & Lone Tree
TLDR: In a historic move, Douglas County Commissioners approved $15 million to fund two major parks — Salisbury Park North in Parker and High Note Regional Park in Lone Tree — the largest parks and open space investment in county history. Each project will receive $7.5M to create new baseball fields, multi-use sports areas, and community gathering spaces in Parker, along with athletic fields and inclusive playgrounds in Lone Tree. Local mayors praised the collaboration, while commissioners called the projects a lasting legacy for future generations, strengthening recreation, community, and quality of life.
Douglas County Announces Historic $30M Investment in Parks & Recreation
TLDR: Douglas County Commissioners approved $7.5M each for new sports fields in Lone Tree (High Note Regional Park), Parker (Salisbury Park expansion), and Castle Rock (Gold Crown Fieldhouse), plus support for the future Zebulon Regional Sports Complex. Funded through the voter-backed Parks, Trails, Historic Resources and Open Space Fund, these once-in-a-generation projects will expand recreation opportunities across the county. A community celebration is planned for Oct. 2.
Major County Line Road Construction Underway: Expect Closures & Improvements
TLDR: Douglas County and partner cities have launched a $30M project to widen and reconstruct County Line Road between University Blvd. and Broadway. Upgrades include two new travel lanes, sidewalks, and a traffic signal at Clarkson Street. A full closure between Clarkson and the U-Haul access area will last ~100 days later this year. Completion expected by Sept. 2027.
Broncos Defense Helps Colts Make NFL History in Heartbreaking Loss
TLDR: The Broncos fell 29-28 to the Colts in a thriller that also etched Indianapolis into the record books — the first Super Bowl–era team to go two straight games without a punt. Denver’s defense forced two turnovers on downs but gave up 167 rushing yards and struggled against rookie TE Tyler Warren. Bo Nix and the offense showed flashes, but a late interception and costly penalty sealed the loss. At 1-1, Denver needs injured LB Dre Greenlaw back soon, especially with the Chargers up next.

Tried & True
🧇 Tried & True: Trestles - Castle Pines
I’d been to Trestles for dinner a couple of times and always left impressed, but this was my first time trying their brunch. We sat inside (though they do have a patio) and went a little overboard — ordering waffles and French toast as “appetizers” before diving into omelets, benedicts, and frittatas.
My blue crab omelet was massive and loaded with cheese, and while the sides were all solid, I’d highly recommend the skillet potatoes. Around the table we had the Denver omelet, Mexican frittata, Portofino frittata, Philly omelet, and the gluten-free Blue Crab Benedict. Not a single miss around the table.
If I had to pick, the waffles edged out the French toast for me — though I’m a waffle guy at heart. Next time, the spicy chicken & waffles are calling my name.
Team Waffles or Team French Toast? |

I will see you soon, beautiful.
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