Got back to town this weekend and would've had no idea it snowed 7 inches last week if I hadn't seen a photo. Apparently the storm Tuesday into Wednesday was the biggest May snowstorm Denver's seen in years — 7.3 inches in Castle Rock, 31 up in Estes, and the Rockies had a game postponed and another delayed.
Upside: everything's the greenest it's been all spring. Get a walk in before summer turns it back to brown…Festival Park is about to wake up too — the Summer Kickoff Concert hits Saturday, May 16 from 5pm-10pm with food trucks, local breweries, vendor booths, and live music (The Tiny Pockets 5pm-6:45pm, then Millennial Romance 7:15pm-10pm). And the Festival Park Farmers Market opens the following Sunday, May 24, 9am-2pm — every Sunday through Oct 11.
Nonprofit Spotlight: Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance
Atosha, a great horned owl ambassador. He came in as a nestling after a 40-foot fall and can't be released. Now part of RMWA's education team.
Last month I drove out to a small, nondescript 3-acre piece of Cherokee Ranch & Castle land in Sedalia to visit the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance (RMWA) and meet its founder, Emily Davenport. You may recognize the organization from local events in Douglas County and specifically here in Castle Rock at events like the recent Wild in Our Town. That’s where a lot of locals first run into RMWA before they ever need to call them.
Emily’s a Castle Rock resident herself, and her path here happened the way bigger changes usually do: gradually, then suddenly. Years of small steps. Vet tech. A desk job. Volunteer shifts at a raptor education center, the kind of passionate work that quietly takes over. She founded RMWA on the side in 2017 and ran it for years between a full-time raptor-center job and a long commute from Broomfield. Then in 2022, the raptor center on Cherokee Ranch land decided to head back to Cañon City, and just like that, the 3-acre lease was hers. Emily took the plunge and never looked back.
A few short years later, RMWA is the third-largest wildlife rehabilitation organization in Colorado.
A prairie falcon in care, likely headed back to the wild after rehab.
What really sets this organization apart is that word Alliance. Who would’ve thought that wildlife rehabilitation would be an industry marred by gatekeeping and holding on to knowledge, but I guess no industry is immune. One distinct difference in this line of work is the relative recency of its creation. There really wasn’t wildlife rehabbing more than a generation ago, so they’re highly dependent on the one generation before them. Becoming a licensed rehabber is essentially an apprenticeship, which means the field depends on one generation passing knowledge to the next. When that doesn’t happen, expertise dies. RMWA was built to fix that. They host an annual Wildlife Care Conference (virtual, with 300+ pros tuning in), bring on 10 interns a year, and offer continuing education to rangers, vets, and wildlife professionals across the state. Their philosophy: education should be affordable and accessible, for the public and for the people doing the work.
That same ethos shows up day-to-day. Last year RMWA took in roughly 1,500 animals. This year they’re on track for 2,000. At peak (June through August) they’re caring for 80 animals on-site at once, with help from seven staff and 70 active volunteers. Patients run the gamut: fox squirrels, great horned owls, red-tailed hawks, house finches, rabbits, the occasional swift fox. Though birds of prey are the specialty. The harder stat: roughly 95% of the animals that come through their doors are there because of something a human did. Cars, windows, power lines, poisoning, or gunshots. Animals that can’t be released become education ambassadors, including a hawk named Kingston, who collided with a second-story window in 2022 and lost vision in his left eye, and now helps RMWA reach more than 11,000 people a year.
Which is the part most locals don’t realize until they need it: RMWA is a resource. If you find an injured hawk in your yard or an orphaned squirrel under a downed branch, they’re the team to call. Emily and her staff field calls daily, run intake, and work alongside ranchers, open-space staff, and Colorado Parks & Wildlife on everything from educating the public to dealing with the human-wildlife conflicts that come with a growing Douglas County.
For 2026, Emily’s focus is stability: investing in what they have rather than chasing scale. The biggest near-term need is a set of new enclosures for small mammals and songbirds before the summer rush hits (roughly $20K to $40K builds). They’re also fundraising for a dedicated rescue vehicle.
Yarrow, a Northern saw-whet owl ambassador now part of RMWA's education team.
I really enjoyed my time with Emily. Her willingness to think out loud about development, habitat, and coexistence was very refreshing. The “Alliance” isn’t just in the name.
Want to plug in?
Volunteer: 4 hours/week, 6-month commit, 18+
Donate or sponsor an animal, a project, or one of the new enclosures
Mark your calendar: A Wild Affair, RMWA’s annual fundraiser, Friday, Nov 7 at Lakewood Country Club. Sponsorships start around $1K and they’re actively looking for local businesses
Save their number: next time you find something injured in the yard, call them first: (720) 831-8130 (open 7 days a week, 9am to 5pm)
Learn more at rmwalliance.org
DougCo Social Dinner Club
Will do a larger recap at some point, but we had a successful DougCo Social Dinner Club and Couples Dinner (55+) in Castle Rock on 4/29. We’ll be in Lone Tree Wednesday night where we have 60+ sign-ups (registration is closed). If you want to catch us on the next one, we’ll be in Parker on 5/27.
Sign up here
Different link/platform — we had 9 couples join us for our first Couples Dinner (55+) as well, and the feedback was very positive. We’ll run another one in Parker on 5/27. TBD on the exact restaurant.
Sign up here
Pet Adoptions
This not-so-little little guy looks like he’s ready for someone with a couch and a yard to walk in and snag him. Bring Pete home today!
NJR Handyman
Nick's background is in remodel construction — and it shows.
Custom barn doors, accent walls, flooring, built-ins. But it's not just the big stuff. Plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, irrigation, landscaping — he handles the whole list. One guy who actually knows what he's doing, start to finish.
Spring project season is here. What's on your list?
See the work → njrhandymanservices.com
Sports
Broncos — One quick update from a quiet offseason week: the 2026 NFL schedule release is officially set for Thursday, May 14 at 6pm MT. We'll see who we host at Empower Field, when the Chiefs come to town, and which Sunday/Monday/Thursday primetime slots we drew. Front-office news this week: George Paton signed a 5-year extension as GM through 2030, and Sean Payton confirmed Bo Nix is on track for a limited role at minicamp as he keeps working back from the broken ankle.
Nuggets — The offseason has officially started, and the chatter is already loud. The big-picture pieces: Josh Kroenke publicly backed coach David Adelman and signaled "roster changes are on the table", and Jeremy Woo's post-lottery mock has us at pick No. 26 after the Wizards won the lottery. The trade chatter centers on two names: Cam Johnson is being labeled the most-likely-to-go piece, and Aaron Gordon is the other name floating around. On the priority list ahead of all of that: Peyton Watson's restricted free agency and a max-level extension for Jokic. Long summer ahead.
Around the rest of the bracket, the Round 2 picture: out East, the Knicks swept the 76ers 4-0 and are already waiting on the Cavs/Pistons winner (tied 2-2). Out West, Oklahoma City leads the Lakers 3-0 and the Spurs vs Timberwolves series is knotted 2-2 after Victor Wembanyama got tossed in Game 4 for elbowing Naz Reid.
Avalanche — Round 2 is going our way. We took Game 4 in Minnesota 5-2 Monday night and lead the series 3-1 — one win from the Western Conference Final. Game-by-game in the Wild series: 9-6 win at home in Game 1, 5-2 win at home in Game 2, dropped Game 3 in Minnesota (5-1), then bounced back Monday with goals from Nazem Kadri (PP), Ross Colton, Parker Kelly, and an empty-net dagger from MacKinnon. One scary moment Monday: MacKinnon got bloodied after taking a puck to the face from teammate Devon Toews — he kept playing. We host Game 5 Wed, May 13 at 6pm. Game 6 in Minnesota Fri, May 15 at 6pm and Game 7 back home Sun, May 17 if needed.
Round 2 around the rest of the league: the Hurricanes already wrapped up a 4-0 sweep of the Flyers in the Metro, the Sabres trail the Canadiens 2-1 in the Atlantic, and the Vegas-Anaheim Pacific series is tied 2-2.
Rockies — We're 16-25, 5th in the NL West. Mixed week, plus weather: Tuesday's Mets game got postponed by the snowstorm, then Wednesday's started six hours late and we dropped it 10-5. Jake McCarthy's grand slam on Thursday gave us a 6-2 win to snap a 6-game skid, and Troy Johnston's 11th-inning RBI double Friday helped us steal one 9-7 in Philly. After that, back-to-back tough losses to the Phillies (9-3 Saturday, 6-0 Sunday) — Schwarber went deep twice in the finale. Bright spot at the plate: Mickey Moniak's still hitting (.303, team-leading 11 HR and 21 RBI) and rookie Troy Johnston is hitting .325. The week ahead: we finish the road trip @ Pittsburgh Tue, May 12 through Thu, May 14 (Thursday's a 10:35am getaway), then come home for a long homestand — host the Diamondbacks Fri, May 15 through Sun, May 17, then the Texas Rangers roll in Mon, May 18 to start a three-game interleague set.
Rapids — We're 11th in the West. Tough one Saturday: lost 1-0 at home to St. Louis CITY SC at DSGP. Two-game road trip ahead: we head @ Minnesota United Wed, May 13, then @ Real Salt Lake Sat, May 16.
Summit FC — Been a bit since we put one in the win column. Beat Houston Dash 4-1 on the road Saturday — Janine Sonis bagged a brace (15', 72'), with Natasha Flint (34') and Delanie Sheehan (49') adding the others. Moves us to 9 points, 12th in the NWSL. We host Orlando Pride at DSGP Sat, May 16 at 6:45pm.
Noteworthy: A New Four-Story Mural Downtown
If you've driven down Perry Street recently, you've probably already noticed it: a four-story mural going up on the side of 403 Perry St., commissioned by the Douglas County Housing Partnership to mark Colorado's 150th anniversary of statehood and the U.S.'s 250th birthday.
The artist is Colorado Springs-based muralist Michael Beenenga, who calls it the largest piece he's ever worked on. The design: a warhorse with Native American markings racing a locomotive labeled "150" and "250," with the Rock itself in the background. Per Beenenga, the horse is a nod to the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes native to this area, and the train represents the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad's Montezuma locomotive — the one that carried the rhyolite stone used to build Castle Rock.
The project came together with a $15,000 grant from the town. DCHP development and asset manager Deborah DeGroff gathered stories from longtime senior residents about the town prior to the turn of the century and handed those notes to the artists competing for the commission. Beenenga's renderings won the job. Once the mural is finished (he's wrapping up this week, weather permitting), the building will be renamed Rio at the Rock, a nod to the town's mining heritage. DCHP is also adding xeriscaping and benches around the site.
Public dedication ceremony is set for June 24 at the mural site. Worth a walk by before then to watch it come together.
Source: The Gazette, May 11, 2026 (warning: ad-block wall)
Castle Rock Jobs
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Events
If you've been looking for a low-stakes excuse to swing a club: the Rotary Club of Castle Pines is hosting their 6th Annual Top Golf fundraiser Sunday, May 17 at Top Golf Centennial. $150 covers three hours of play, food, two drinks, prizes, and zero golf-experience requirements. Check-in 4:30, play 5pm-8pm. Register by Wednesday, May 14.
Learn more here
Tuesday, 5/12:
Provision - Vago & Oysters Event - 6:00pm–9:00pm - $95 - tickets
The Whiskey Lodge - Tuesday Trivia ($0.85 Wings) - 7:00pm–8:00pm
Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co. - Geeks Who Drink Classic Trivia - 7:00pm–9:00pm
Wednesday, 5/13:
Alidade Brewing - Music Bingo - 6:00pm–8:00pm
Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co. - Pints and Paint — Welcome or Name Sign Custom Painting - 6:00pm–8:30pm - $55 - tickets
The Whiskey Lodge - Wednesday Bingo - 6:30pm–8:30pm
Thursday, 5/14:
105 West Brewing Company - Trivia Night - 5:00pm–7:30pm
Sinners & Saints - Murder at Gatsby's Gala — Fundraiser - 6:00pm–9:30pm - $35+ - tickets
Crowfoot Valley Coffee & Crowbar - Trivia Night - 6:00pm–8:00pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Free Whiskey Tasting & Poker - 7:00pm–10:00pm
Hideaway Bar & Grill - DJ Trivia - 7:00pm–9:00pm
Friday, 5/15:
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Sinatra Tribute Show LIVE - 6:00pm - $86.80 - tickets
Wide Awake Eatery - Steve Thomas (Guitar) - 5:30pm–9:00pm
Stagecoach Saloon - Sarah P and The Hay Pullers - 6:30pm–10:30pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Friday Karaoke - 7:00pm–10:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - Rhett Haney - 7:00pm–10:30pm
Sinners & Saints - Wendy Woo - Live at the Altar - 8:00pm–10:00pm
Hideaway Bar & Grill - Karaoke - 9:00pm–12:00am
Saturday, 5/16:
Teaology Tea Cafe - Yoga with Karen - 9:30am–10:30am - $25 - tickets
Wide Awake Eatery - Charlie Zanichelli (Saxophone) — Brunch - 10:00am–1:00pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Crawfish Boil at Whiskey Lodge - 11:00am - $20/lb - tickets
Festival Park - Summer Kickoff Concert - 5:00pm–10:00pm
Wide Awake Eatery - Tony Crank (Spanish Guitar) - 5:30pm–9:00pm
105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: Val Chillmer - 6:30pm–9:30pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Saturday Live Music - 7:00pm–10:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - One Way to Rock - 7:00pm–10:30pm
Sinners & Saints - Live DJ in the Lounge with DJ Max - 9:00pm–11:59pm
Sunday, 5/17:
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Princess Party at the Castle 2026 - 1:30pm - $52.95 - tickets
Teaology Tea Cafe - Watercolor Classes with Raelene - 1:00pm–3:00pm - $42 - tickets
105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: Chuck Grossman - 2:30pm–5:30pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Sunday Karaoke - 6:00pm–9:00pm
Monday, 5/18:
105 West Brewing Company - Trails N' Ales (Run Club) - 5:00pm–6:00pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Monday Bingo - 6:30pm–8:30pm
Heads up on events that are further out:
Wide Open Saloon - John Weeks Band - Fri 5/22, 7:00pm–10:30pm
Sinners & Saints - Guy and Norm - Live at the Altar - Fri 5/22, 8:00pm–10:00pm
Outlets at Castle Rock - Rock the Mountain — Summer Concert Series Kickoff - Sat 5/23, 3:00pm-6:00pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Stones & Stories: The Geology Behind the Castle - Sat 5/23, 9:00am–11:30am - $38.50 - tickets
Stagecoach Saloon - Frontline - Sat 5/23, 6:30pm–10:30pm
Wide Open Saloon - Funk It Up - Sat 5/23, 7:00pm–10:30pm
Festival Park - Festival Park Farmers Market - Sun 5/24, 9:00am–2:00pm
Stagecoach Saloon - Blinker Fluid (Memorial Day) - Mon 5/25, 6:30pm–10:30pm - tickets
Provision - Ocho Plate to Glass Event - Tue 5/26, 6:00pm–9:00pm - $80 - tickets
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Tequila Tasting at the Castle - Fri 5/29 - 6:00pm-9:15pm - $86.95 - tickets
Wide Open Saloon - Dueling Pianos - Fri 5/29, 7:00pm–10:30pm - $13-$34 - tickets
Sinners & Saints - Grey Rails - Live at the Altar - Fri 5/29, 8:00pm–11:00pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - JOHN DENVER 'The Tribute' - Sat 5/30, 6:45pm - $89 - tickets
Stagecoach Saloon - Mountain Magic Band - Sat 5/30, 6:30pm–10:30pm
Wide Open Saloon - Chainsaw Rodeo - Sat 5/30, 7:00pm–10:30pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Soul School — Funk & Rock Dance Party - Sun 5/31, 5:30pm-9:15pm - $85.95 - tickets
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Petrified Wood Hike - Sun 5/31, 8:00am - $39.50 - tickets
The Ridge at Castle Pines North - Yoga & Abeille at The Ridge - Sun 5/31, 8:30am–11:00am - $44.52 - 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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