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- DougCo Drop – September 3rd – Powerball, Bustoberfest, and a Meal Fit For a King or Queen
DougCo Drop – September 3rd – Powerball, Bustoberfest, and a Meal Fit For a King or Queen
Drips from the Drop: Powerball, Bustoberfest, and a Meal Fit For a King or Queen

Well, it’s probably pretty obvious — since I’m still writing this newsletter — that I wasn’t the lucky soul who bought the $2 million Powerball ticket in Parker. Or…maybe I did win, and I just love doing this so much I’m keeping it going while laying low. Either way, it’s got me thinking: maybe we should do a DougCo Drop pool for the $1 billion+ pot.

Saddle Up
🎤 Music & Concerts
🎤 Wild Goose Saloon: Sweet Child
📅 Date: Friday, September 5
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
🎤 Detail: Closest thing to Guns N’ Roses that Denver has to offer!
🎤 Live Music On the Patio: Paradise Theater
📅 Date: Friday, September 5
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
🎤 Detail: Colorado’s premier STYX cover band.
🎤 Live Music On the Patio: My Blue Sky
📅 Date: Saturday, September 6
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
🎤 Detail: Honoring the music of the Allman Brothers family of bands.
🎤 Live Music: Mavis Staples
📅 Date: Saturday, September 6
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM
📍 Location: Lone Tree Arts Center, Lone Tree
🎤 Detail: One of America’s defining voices of freedom and peace as a Blues and a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.
🎤 Denver Concert Band Presents Yo Ho, It's a Band's Life for Me
📅 Date: Sunday, September 7
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Lone Tree Arts Center, Lone Tree
🎤 Detail: A family-friendly performance that blends cinematic flair, stirring marches, and rich tradition into a delightful musical voyage.
🎤 Wide Open Saloon: Buck Sergeant
📅 Date: Friday, September 5
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM
📍 Location: Wide Open Saloon, Sedalia
🎤 Detail: If you’re looking for a foot stomp’n, 2-stepp’n, country swing’n kind of band, Buck Sergeant will answer the call. “It’s Country with a Kick!”
🎤 Live at the Altar: Guys on Boxes
📅 Date: Saturday, September 6
⏰ Time: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 Location: Sinners & Saints (Ecclesia), Lone Tree
🎤 Detail: A two man acoustic duo covering songs from the Stones, Tom Petty, U2, Guns N’ Roses, Depeche Mode, Darius Rucker & more.
👨👩👧👦 Family
🤠 Western Fest
📅 Date: Saturday, September 6
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
📍Location: Highlands Ranch Mansion, Highlands Ranch
🤠 Detail: Live entertainment, hayrides, BBQ, and line dancing.
🌳 5th Annual Mayor's Day of Service
📅 Date: Saturday, September 6
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
📍Location: Cherry Creek Trail at Cottonwood Park, Parker
🌳 Detail: Tree protection wrapping, fire mitigation, and trail clean-up–great for all ages.
🧘♀️ Fitness
🥒 Picklr Littleton: Grand Opening
📅 Date: Saturday, September 6
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Picklr, Littleton
🥒 Detail: From exhibition matches and clinics with some of the top pros in the game, to challenges, prizes, and plenty of open play, this will be a day (and weekend) that shows what The Picklr is all about: community, competition, and connection.
🏃 HRCA Wildcat Mountain Trail Races
📅 Date: Saturday, September 6
⏰ Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
📍 Location: Rocky Heights Middle School, Littleton
🏃 Detail: 100% dirt trail course with the potential to view wildlife and soak in the amazing mountain views.
🚲 Tri the Rock Youth Triathlon
📅 Date: Sunday, September 7
⏰ Time: 6:30 AM - 11:30 AM
📍 Location: Butterfield Park, Castle Rock
🚲 Detail: Come for a day of fun, food, prizes, and sports.
🥾 Guided Moonlight Hike
📅 Date: Sunday, September 7
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
📍 Location: Hidden Mesa Open Space, Franktown
🥾 Detail: Enjoy the crisp evening air as you hike to the top of Hidden Mesa Open Space for a stunning view of the full moon rising.
🎨 Arts & Culture
🎨 Castle Rock Artfest
📅 Date: Saturday, September 6 & Sunday, September 7
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM & 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
📍 Location: Downtown Castle Rock
🎨 Detail: Highlights the talents of more than 110 exhibits displaying a wide range of works from life-size sculptures to photography and jewelry.
🚂 150th Anniversary & Model Train Day
📅 Date: Saturday, September 6
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Castle Rock Museum
🚂 Detail: Enjoy free train rides and music from the Castle Rock Band.
🎨 PAG Art Exhibit: What's So Funny Meet the Artists Reception
📅 Date: Thursday, September 4
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 Location: The Schoolhouse, Parker
🎨 Detail: A special evening to view the art exhibit and meet its artists with an open bar.
🍽️ Food & Drink
🍻 Bustoberfest
📅 Date: Saturday, September 6
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Lone Tree Brewing Co, Parker
🍻 Detail: Hop on board for Bustoberfest — your ticket to a full day of beer, bratwurst, and Bavarian-style fun!
🍷 Crime and Wine
📅 Date: Friday, September 5 & Saturday, September 6
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: The Schoolhouse, Parker
🍷 Detail: Enjoy two glasses of wine and a charcuterie cup while hearing the chilling details of 1920s Colorado robbery.
🍔 Food Truck Monday: One Luv Eats
📅 Date: Monday, September 8
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Larkspur Community Park, Larkspur
🍔 Detail: Food trucks every Monday.
🍹 Nightlife & Entertainment
🍸 Prelude Party
📅 Date: Saturday, September 6
⏰ Time: 5:30 PM
📍 Location: Lone Tree Arts Center, Lone Tree
🍸 Detail: Enjoy a festive party with retro-inspired sips, bites, and good vibes.
💡 Trivia Night
📅 Date: Wednesday, September 3
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Sterling Center, Littleton
💡 Detail: Party Pro DJs will lead you through rounds of trivia.
🎤 Karaoke with Avery Every Wednesday!
📅 Date: Wednesday, September 3
⏰ 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 Food & Wine Festival
📅 Date: Wednesday, September 3rd - Saturday, September 6th
⏰ Time: Various by Day
📍 Location: Tivoli Quad, Denver Auraria Campus
🍷 Detail: A multi-day extravaganza of food, wine, and spirits.
🗓️ On the Horizon
🥃 Colorado Highland Games
📅 Date: Saturday, September 20 - Monday, 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.

Land and Lore
Douglas County keeps running into the same crossroads: business-friendly growth vs. conserving water, open space, and the outdoor character that drew people here in the first place.
The latest example is a proposed 343-home neighborhood on mesa-top land west of I-25 in Lone Tree, a joint venture between Brookfield Residential and RidgeGate Investments.
The Details
Location: 392 acres west of I-25, near RidgeGate and Surrey Ridge
Scale: Up to 343 single-family homes
Protections: Setbacks from ridgelines, wildlife corridors, and open space are written into the plan
Access: Extensions of Cabela Drive and Heather Drive
Timeline: Under staff review now → public hearings expected late 2025
Why It Matters
Neighbors are already raising concerns, but the City has clarified: this property was zoned residential years ago. That means the question isn’t if homes will be built, but how — the density, design, and balance with open space. For buyers, this signals future inventory; for current residents, it’s a chance to weigh in on how Lone Tree grows.
What’s Next
The City is reviewing the application now and will open a formal public comment period later this year. You can sign up for notifications here: go.cityoflonetree.com/development-referral-signup.
When it comes to Douglas County’s future, what matters most to you? |

Hometown Headlines
Douglas County Earns Coveted AAA Credit Rating — Again
TLDR: Out of 3,000+ U.S. counties, only a select few hold a AAA credit rating — and Douglas County is one of them. This month, S&P Global reaffirmed the County’s AAA status, recognizing strong fiscal management, a thriving economy, and long-term resilience. For residents, this means stability, predictable taxes, and continued investment in essential services. For businesses, it signals confidence, growth opportunities, and a reliable community to invest in. Douglas County has maintained this rating since 2014, underscoring its reputation as one of the most financially sound counties in the nation.
New Safehouse Opens in Douglas County to Support Survivors of Domestic Violence
TLDR: Domestic violence impacts 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men nationwide — and Douglas County is no exception. Now, thanks to a $350,000 County investment and a partnership with TESSA, survivors in our community have access to a new confidential safehouse offering shelter, legal advocacy, and trauma-informed counseling. With 35 beds, this facility provides safety, dignity, and hope for those facing abuse. County leaders, law enforcement, and community partners joined together to mark this milestone, ensuring survivors no longer have to leave Douglas County to find the help they need.
Patrick Surtain II Lands in NFL Top 10
TLDR: Voted on by fellow players, the NFL Top 100 Players list placed Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II at No. 10 — a leap from No. 52 last year. Already an NFL Pro Bowler, All-Pro, and Defensive Player of the Year, Surtain is earning league-wide respect as the gold standard for cornerbacks. At 6’3” with elite speed, intelligence, and technique, he’s been praised as “the textbook on cornerback play” by peers across the league. Simply put, Surtain is the great neutralizer—and a cornerstone for the Broncos’ future.

Tried & True
🥩 Tried & True: Duke’s - Castle Pines
A true Castle Pines staple, Duke’s Steakhouse has been serving up no-nonsense, well-priced steaks and hearty American fare since 2010. With roots in Castle Rock and a name inspired by a grand champion bull, Duke’s has carved out a loyal following — and after this week’s visit, it’s easy to see why.
We dined on the dining room side (you seat yourself in the tavern), which gave it a more classic steakhouse vibe — cozy booths, warm lighting, and a laid-back local feel. It’s more casual than I expected, but in a way that works — think neighborhood go-to, not white tablecloths.
To start, I had a cup of their French Onion Soup in place of a Caesar, and it was a great call. Rich, deeply savory, and just salty enough, the broth delivered the kind of slow-cooked comfort you want in a proper onion soup.
For the main, I went 14 oz Ribeye + loaded baked potato (yes, loaded is the only way). The ribeye was marbled, seared well, and full of flavor. The potato hit all the right notes — cheesy, bacony, buttery goodness. I think this meal was meant to feed two…good thing I have dual personalities.
At the table, we also had the Seafood Pasta and Chicken Carbonara — both surprisingly high in the amount of protein and rich enough to satisfy. Portions across the board were solid.
If you’re a steak person — or just craving a satisfying, straightforward meal — Duke’s delivers. Add in the Irish-inspired tavern (with 21 beers on tap) and a no-fuss atmosphere, and you’ve got yourself a local legend that still holds up.
📍 363 Village Square Ln, Castle Pines
🕐 Open daily for lunch & dinner; Prime Rib Thurs–Sun after 4 PM
💵 Steaks from $21, entrees ~$15–25
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