Let it rain, let it pour. Okay, maybe it didn’t pour, but there was a loud enough crack of thunder that at least one wimpy dog was jumping on a lap this past week. Hopefully this little precipitation helps all of the gardeners in our community — poll results from last week:

Are you planting this spring?

Stopped by Starbird Chicken last Friday for their Friends & Family dinner (don’t worry, they didn’t have any record of me or the 5 other people I brought, but they were nice enough to let us in). I’ll likely write on it further at a later date, but if you want to check out some photos from our time there, here’s our Instagram post.

How To Be Moar Like Me

Work is weird. Finally, a comic about it.

If you work, you might like this comic. There's a new local creative project to add to your reading list: How To Be Moar Like Me, a workplace web comic from Castle Rock author Josh Barnhill.

It reports on modern work the way it can feel — upside-down and inside-out but still hopeful.

The first season, Sunshine and Tornadoes, introduces you to a quirky team at a tech startup — five co-workers trying to do good work without losing themselves in the process.

A small reset for your day.

Learn more and read the first episodes (for free) at howtobemoarlikeme.com

Alright so last week we took a group of about a dozen neighbors out to Happy Dog Ranch in Sedalia where The Aspen Effect operates. Jerry, the founder of The Aspen Effect, was kind enough to take us through a Ranch Resilience Tour for about an hour and a half and tell us about the organization, its mission, and the super important work it's doing. Half of the attendees were from the DougCo Social Dinner Club that we run and the other half were friends of friends (or friends of one popular friend). Everybody was locked in the whole time and super engaged with Jerry with plenty of back and forth. By the end of it, there were tears in people's eyes when we wrapped up in The Hangout, their gathering space, watching an extremely sad, but hopeful, story about one of the kids who has benefited from being involved in The Aspen Effect.

If you haven't read our first piece on The Aspen Effect, they're a Douglas County nonprofit using animals, the outdoors, and trusted adult mentors to help kids build resilience. The animals include llamas, a donkey, goats, a pig named Charlotte, mini-horses, horses, and more. The kids range in age from 9 to 18, but most of the work is done with teenagers. These teens are facing enormous pressure, whether it's bullies that follow them home thanks to modern technology, substance abuse, or thoughts of self-harm. The Aspen Effect's programs get them out into nature without their phones so they can breathe, relax a little, feel safe, and become more grounded. By working with these animals, they learn about being present, the healthiness of boundaries (like the fences that keep animals safe), and how to connect by being part of a herd. The animals are the teachers!

The Aspen Effect is continuing to build on this good work by offering Ranch Resilience Camps over the summer. These summer camps, held twice in June and twice in August, are for both parents and youth (ages 9-13) because when children are suffering, parents are suffering. Parents will go off together where they'll have an opportunity to connect with other parents and share what they're going through and what they're seeing in their child's life. The kids will go off with each other and participate in fun activities while having the opportunity to connect with animals, themselves, and one another. A $50 fee reserves a spot for a parent and youth.

Registration opens by May 1. Sign up here.

Additionally, just like what we did, The Aspen Effect will be offering Ranch Resilience Tours. These are both for groups of youth and for teams of adults. It's an experiential tour, where they encourage participants to put away their phones, breathe in the country air, and learn how to build resilience from the animals and ranch environment. I'd love to go back and actually leave my phone at home. And based on the feedback we received from attendees, I'd highly recommend putting together a group, whether it's a social group, a company team, or something else. At least one of our 12 attendees said the day of that she wanted to apply to become a mentor.

If you're interested in setting one of these tours up, whether for youth or for adults, set one up here.

After the hour and a half with Jerry, who stated at the beginning of his talk, "there's nothing I'd rather be doing with my life" (#jealous), we went to Bud's Bar up the road for burgers and connected even more.

If you’d like to learn more about The Aspen Effect and how you might want to get involved, check out their website here: theaspeneffect.org.

More photos of our experience can be found on Instagram here.

Here’s one bear out of hibernation…Oso promises he’s not high maintenance…he just needs the occasional brush-out.

Broncos — The 2026 NFL Draft wrapped Saturday. We came in without a 1st (traded to Miami in the Jaylen Waddle deal) and walked away with seven picks (we traded our 2nd round pick):

Fun note: we made the final two picks of the entire draft — first team in the modern era to do that.

The grades from around the league are all over the map: NFL.com A-, USA Today B+, CBS B, ESPN's Kiper C+, SI C, PFT C, PFF C-. The split's basically about how you score the Waddle trade — grade the picks alone and it's a C, count Waddle as part of the haul and it's an A-.

Nuggets — Still alive, but still down. We took Game 5 at home Monday night (125-113) to stay in it — we're down 3-2 in the series and headed back to Minneapolis. We dropped both road games the week before — 113-96 in Game 3 Thursday and 112-96 in Game 4 Saturday, with Jokic and Julius Randle both ejected after a shoving match in the final seconds of Game 4. Game 6 is Thursday, Apr 30 in Minneapolis — win and we host Game 7 Saturday, May 2.

Avalanche — We swept the Kings 4-0 in Round 1. Took Game 2 in OT (2-1) Tuesday at home, won Game 3 (4-2) in LA Thursday, and closed it out Sunday with a 5-1 win led by MacKinnon. Now we wait — Round 2 opponent is the winner of Dallas vs. Minnesota Wild (currently tied 2-2, Game 5 Tuesday).

Rockies — We're 13-16, 5th in the NL West, but had our best week of the season — went 4-2. Beat the Padres at home (8-3) Wednesday, lost the next two close ones (1-0, 10-8), then took the Mets series in New York with a Friday win (4-3) and a Sunday doubleheader sweep (3-1, 3-0) after Saturday's rainout. We head @ Cincinnati Tue, Apr 28 through Thu, Apr 30, then home for Atlanta Fri, May 1 through Sun, May 3, and the Mets Mon, May 4.

Rapids — We're 4-1-5 (13 pts), 7th in the West. Tough week on the road — drew 0-0 @ LAFC Wednesday, then lost 3-1 @ Vancouver Saturday against the league's hottest team. Next up: we head @ Colorado Springs Switchbacks Wed, Apr 29 at 7pm in the U.S. Open Cup, then host Houston Sat, May 2.

Summit FC — We're 11th in the NWSL after dropping a 3-2 decision to San Diego Wave Saturday. Next up: we host Boston Legacy Sun, May 3 at 1pm.

Mammoth — Our season ended Saturday at the LOUD HOUSE. We hosted San Diego in the NLL Quarterfinals and lost 13-12 in overtime — a one-and-done playoff exit after earning home-field advantage with a strong finish to the regular season.

Town Council had a busy night April 21. Two stories worth knowing about — both about how we get around downtown.

A free, on-demand rideshare is coming to Castle Rock

Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with Douglas County to bring Link On Demand to Castle Rock — a free, app-based rideshare service that already runs in Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, and most recently Parker.

How it works: you book through a mobile app (like Uber or Lyft), wait 10–25 minutes, and ride for free. Vehicles are minivans and SUVs, and you'll likely share with other passengers. Trips have to start and end inside the Castle Rock service area.

Service hours:

The pilot starts Q3 2026 and runs through Q3 2027. The County expects 50,000–60,000 rides in year one. Castle Rock's share of the cost is $400,000/year (out of $2M total), pulled from the Town's Transportation Fund. The Town's existing Taxi Voucher Program will be phased out as Link rolls out, but Senior Center transportation continues as-is.

Castle Pines was offered the same deal and passed.

And the parking study that lit up the comments

Same meeting, Council reviewed the 2026 Downtown Parking Study. The headline finding: available parking downtown is up 113% since the last study.

That stat didn't sit well with everyone. Residents told Denver7 the numbers don't match what it actually feels like to find a spot during a Friday-night dinner rush. Council took it as discussion/direction — no decision yet.

Both stories point at the same question: as downtown keeps growing, how do you get people in and out of it? We'll keep an eye on what Council does next.

Director of Imaging — AdventHealth Castle Rock — $119K-$222K/yr

Stormwater & Collections Superintendent — Town of Castle Rock — $45-$63/hr

Director of Special Education — Douglas County School District — $105K-$135K/yr

Want your business in front of 5,500+ locals? Reach out if you’re interested in sponsoring the newsletter.

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Celebrate Mom at Camelia’s Garden Event Space at Teaology Tea Café with a whimsical Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet. Enjoy a beautifully curated spread of house-made sweet and savory delights, artful details, and tea-inspired touches in a warm, enchanting atmosphere. Gather loved ones, raise a teacup, and savor meaningful moments together.

Treat Mom to a fanciful brunch buffet blooming with tea-time magic.

Advance tickets required; seating is limited.

Tuesday, 4/28:

Echo Ridge Apartments - Coffee with a Cop - 10:00am–11:00am

Wide Open Saloon - Sedalia Community Blood Drive - 10:00am–2:00pm

105 West Brewing Company - Blind Wine Tasting - 5:30pm–7:00pm - $35 - tickets

Alidade Brewing - 80's Trivia Night - 6:00pm–8:00pm

The Whiskey Lodge - Trivia Night - 7:00pm–9:00pm

Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co. - Geeks Who Drink Trivia - 7:00pm–9:00pm

Wednesday, 4/29:

Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Castle Tour - $15-25 - tickets

Alidade Brewing - Colorado Pint Day - 12:00pm–9:00pm - $12 - tickets

105 West Brewing Company - Trails N' Ales - Mountain Bike - 6:00pm–7:00pm - tickets

Alidade Brewing - Music Bingo - 6:00pm–8:00pm

The Whiskey Lodge - Bingo Night - 6:30pm–8:30pm

Hideaway Bar & Grill - DJ Trivia - 7:00pm–9:00pm

Thursday, 4/30:

Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Castle Tour - 10:00am–11:30am - $21-24 - tickets

Teaology Tea Cafe (Camelia's Garden) - Steep & Soothe — Gentle Yoga and Herbal Tea Gathering - 4:30pm–5:30pm

105 West Brewing Company - Trivia Night - 6:00pm–8:30pm

Alidade Brewing - Rip & Sip TCG Night - 6:00pm–9:00pm

Crowfoot Valley Coffee & Crowbar - Trivia Night - 6:00pm–8:00pm

Wide Open Saloon - Thursday Line Dancing - 6:00pm–10:00pm

Wide Awake Eatery - Merit Kahn: Optimistic Personality Disorder - 6:00pm–9:00pm - $28+ - tickets

The Whiskey Lodge - Free Whiskey Tasting & Texas Hold Em Poker - 7:00pm–10:00pm

Hideaway Bar & Grill - Karaoke - 9:00pm–12:00am

Friday, 5/1:

Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Afternoon Tea at the Castle - $75 - tickets

Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Freddy Rodriguez Legacy Jazz Band - $80 - tickets

Castle Rock Museum - Scavenge The Rock — Downtown Castle Rock Scavenger Hunt - 8:00am–1:00pm

Wide Awake Eatery - Shaun Peace (Guitar) - 5:30pm–9:00pm

Honnibrook Craft Meadery - Josh Blackburn: Live In Castle Rock - 6:00pm–9:00pm

Magpie Art Center - Volunteer Open House - 6:00pm–8:00pm

Stagecoach Saloon - THE BAND THESE GUYS! - 6:30pm–10:30pm

The Whiskey Lodge - Friday Karaoke - 7:00pm–10:00pm

Wide Open Saloon - Sideways 7 - 7:00pm–10:30pm

Sinners & Saints - Tyler Stanfield - Live at the Altar - 8:00pm–9:30pm

Saturday, 5/2:

Various trails throughout Castle Rock - Spring Up the Creek 2026 - 9:00am–11:00am

Castle Rock Museum - Castle Rock Historical Society Annual Trolley Tour - 10:00am–3:00pm

Wide Awake Eatery - Charlie Zanichelli (Saxophone) — Brunch - 10:00am–1:00pm

Alidade Brewing - Cinco de Burro at Alidade - 11:00am–8:00pm

Sky View Farm - Colorado Nonprofit Mini Derby - 1:00pm–5:30pm - tickets

Wide Open Saloon - Saturday Acoustic Set - 2:00pm–5:00pm

Sinners & Saints - Carson McHaney - Live at the Altar (Dirty Derby Special) - 3:00pm–5:00pm

Sinners & Saints - The Dirty Derby — Kentucky Derby Party - 3:00pm–7:00pm - tickets

Wide Awake Eatery - Steve Thomas (Guitar) - 5:30pm–9:00pm

105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: Sarah P and the Dirty Logger - 6:30pm–9:30pm

Stagecoach Saloon - The Walker Williams Band - 6:30pm–10:30pm

The Whiskey Lodge - Saturday Live Music - 7:00pm–10:00pm

Wide Open Saloon - 9's A Pair (The Fireman Band) - 7:00pm–10:30pm

Sinners & Saints - Live DJ in the Lounge with DJ Max - 9:00pm–11:59pm

Sunday, 5/3:

Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance - Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance Open House - 10:00am–1:00pm

Teaology Tea Cafe - All Things Spiritual - 10:00am–12:00pm

105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: Giant Zero - 2:30pm–5:30pm

The Whiskey Lodge - Sunday Karaoke - 6:00pm–9:00pm

Monday, 5/4:

105 West Brewing Company - Trails N' Ales (Run Club) - 6:00pm–7:00pm

The Whiskey Lodge - Monday Bingo - 6:30pm–8:30pm

Heads up on events that are further out:

Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Arts Afield 2026 - Wed 5/6 - $39 - tickets

East Plum Creek Trail - Basics of Birdwatching Guided Walk (Part 2) - Wed 5/6, 8:00am–10:00am

Miller Activity Complex (MAC) - Parks and Recreation Summer Job Fair - Wed 5/6, 3:30pm–6:00pm

Wide Awake Eatery - Dueling Pianos - Wed 5/6, 6:00pm–9:00pm - $13+ - tickets

Cherokee Ranch & Castle - May Vino Voyage: Celebrate the Flavors of Spring - Fri 5/8 - $69 - tickets

Wide Open Saloon - Kelsey Jo and The Wildcards - Fri 5/8, 7:00pm–10:30pm

Sinners & Saints - Derek Hall - Live at the Altar - Fri 5/8, 8:00pm–9:30pm

Gateway Mesa Open Space - Basics of Birdwatching Guided Hike (Part 2) - Sat 5/9, 7:30am–9:30am

Outlets at Castle Rock - Moms & Mimosas - Sat 5/9, 11:00am–2:00pm

Alidade Brewing - Pop-Up: Blooms & Books - Sat 5/9, 1:00pm–5:00pm

105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: Looking Back - Sat 5/9, 6:30pm–9:30pm

Wide Open Saloon - Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts - Sat 5/9, 7:00pm–10:30pm

105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: Jackie Hadley - Sun 5/10, 2:30pm–5:30pm

Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Sinatra Tribute Show LIVE - Fri 5/15 - $86 - tickets

Worth the drive: other Douglas County events can be found in our sister newsletter, DougCo Drop — subscribe below.

⚠️ Please verify event details and availability with the respective venues or organizers, as schedules may change.

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