Feels like the year just started and now I’m looking up and it’s basically over…is that a thing that parents say? I feel like those Progressive commercials might be a little too on point.
Anyways, there are two events that I want to make sure are on your radar. The first is the Turkey Trot. This is the Thanksgiving morning tradition of getting out and working off some calories before the indulgences start…there were 3,300+ people in attendance last year. I am trying to move up in the ranks this year and do better than 218/225 in my age group…
It’s RUN to Change Lives’ 22nd Annual Turkey ROCK Trot, Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26, at the Douglas County Events Center. All proceeds benefit the Help & Hope Center.
Use code CRCREW15 for 15% off. Register here →
And the winter Sip & Stroll date has been announced: Thursday, December 3rd. 20+ shops in Downtown Castle Rock will be there to help you out with your shopping. Deals, sips, snacks, good times…we’re still looking for a sponsor. If you’re interested, please reach out!
Oh, and if you’re heading to Geeks Who Drink at Wild Blue tonight, look out for me and say what’s up!
Castle Rock now runs on Dunkin’
I’ve been tracking the Dunkin’ location that’s been under construction off of Founders (near the King Soopers) for quite some time now, and of course they let me know right after my send last week that they’d be opening up this past weekend. Hopefully you saw my post on social media that they were opening if you’re in that neck of the woods or if you’re a die-hard Dunkin’ fan. “Who cares?” was one of my favorite comments that I received. I am going to guess that people who live in Terrain, Founders or the surrounding neighborhoods probably care! As far as I know, the only other option is Starbucks in King Soopers. Now, I’d love it if there were a locally owned and operated coffee shop over there, but there isn’t (tell me if I’m wrong). And I’ve never really had Dunkin’, but I’m sure it’s a great alternative to basically nothing. The address is 1185 Aloha St.
It’s right off of Founders, by the 7-Eleven and across the intersection from King Soopers.
Quality Brand Group is the franchisee, and Castle Rock is their 18th Dunkin’ in Colorado as they keep serving neighborhoods across southern Denver and Colorado Springs (full story). This is a Next Gen store, so it’s smaller (just under 1,600 square feet) and it has nitro cold brew, which regular Dunkin’ stores don’t. The iced coffee, cold brew and nitro all pour from taps (yes, the coffee comes out of taps), and there’s a mobile-order pickup area with a digital order board. Yes, they have a drive-through, and yes, they have curbside pick-up spots. It’s open daily from 4am to 8pm.
There was a lot of back and forth on this location over the years. The lot was zoned for development back in 1985 and still sat empty in 2023, the first neighborhood meeting was in March 2022, and after three of them, the drive-through ended up on the south side to keep headlights and noise away from the nearby apartment community.
I am going to assume that this location is going to print money until Starbucks, Black Rock, 7 Brew, or some other chain secures some land over there and builds one right next to it. We’ll see!
Paint Night with Emma
Thankful Framed Glass Painting at Wild Blue Yonder
Emma’s got a new glass painting class at Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co. on Wednesday, October 28 from 6 to 9pm. You’ll trace a pre-made design onto an 8.5 by 11 piece of glass, then fill it in with paint markers and acrylic over a scrapbook paper background of your choice, finished off in a black frame.
Pet Adoptions
There are some seriously cute dogs at the Buddy Center right now, but I think this guy (Spud) takes the top spot....look at those ears...
Humane Colorado is also running a free Howl-o-ween Pet Costume Contest. Enter your pet’s photo by November 4, vote once a day for your favorite, and the winner gets a shout-out on their socials when it’s announced Thursday, November 5. Enter or vote here →
Sports
Broncos — We won at Arizona (30-16) Sunday and are 5-2, 2nd in the AFC West behind the Chiefs (5-1). Bo Nix broke loose for a 62-yard touchdown run, the longest of his career, and Sean Payton's verdict after the game was simple: "He's our guy." We host Kansas City Sun, Nov 1 at 2:25pm. I was definitely wondering why everybody was talking so much about Jonah Coleman. I thought it was overblown, but man did he look explosive. Looking forward to watching more.
Nuggets — We opened with a loss at Oklahoma City (96-84), came back from 23 down to beat New Orleans in overtime (141-135) in the home opener, and lost to Golden State at home Monday night (134-114). Nikola Jokic had a triple-double against the Pelicans (35 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists) and Jamal Murray scored 42. Jokic was not happy with the fans who booed in the first half: "they are not welcome anymore." We head @ New Orleans Wed, Oct 28 at 6pm and @ Phoenix Fri, Oct 30 at 8pm, then host Portland Mon, Nov 2 at 7pm.
Avalanche — We're 6-5-1 (13 pts), 4th in the Central. We lost at New Jersey (4-3), beat Tampa Bay at home (6-3) behind Nathan MacKinnon's goal and three assists, and lost at Nashville (6-2). We host New Jersey Wed, Oct 28 at 7pm and Calgary Sat, Oct 31 at 8pm, then head @ Chicago Mon, Nov 2 at 6pm.
Rockies — Offseason mode after a 58-104 finish, 5th in the NL West. Catching prospect Jack O'Dowd was named the Arizona Fall League's Hitter of the Week.
MLB Playoffs — The Brewers lead the Rays 2-0 in the World Series after winning both games in Milwaukee (3-2 and 5-4). Games 3 through 5 are in Tampa Bay, starting Monday night.
Rapids — We're 8th in the West at 12-13-6 (42 points) through 31 matches. Morgan Whittaker scored in the 81st minute to beat conference-leading Vancouver at home (1-0). We head @ San Jose Wed, Oct 28 at 8:30pm, then host Chicago Sat, Oct 31 at 7:30pm.
Summit FC — We're 10th in the NWSL at 11-10-8 (41 points) through 29 matches. We crushed Racing Louisville (6-1) in our home finale, with Natasha Flint scoring the first two-goal game of her NWSL career. To make the playoffs, we need to beat North Carolina on Decision Day and need Orlando to beat Seattle. We head @ North Carolina Sun, Nov 1 at 3pm at First Horizon Stadium.
Colorado Stampede — Pro football is coming down the road. The UFL named its new Colorado team Sunday: the Colorado Stampede, coached by Rick Neuheisel, with home games at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs. The home opener is Sunday, April 11, 2027 at 1pm. Season tickets start at $75, and anyone who buys by Nov. 1 is entered in a drawing for a trip to the 2027 UFL Draft.
Sabercats Football — The Sabercats lost a shootout to Heritage at home (53-41) and are 3-6. They head @ Cherokee Trail Thu, Oct 29 at 6pm. Check out their schedule.
Huskies Football — The Huskies beat Vista PEAK Prep at home (35-13) and are 8-1, 2nd in the 4A South Metro. They host Ponderosa Fri, Oct 30 at 6pm. Check out their schedule.
Want your business in front of 6,500 locals? Reach out if you're interested in sponsoring the newsletter.
Noteworthy
RidgeView Town Center clears its first vote
Council approved the annexation and zoning for RidgeView Town Center last Tuesday (Oct. 20), the restaurant and retail corner going in next to the King Soopers on North Ridge Road. It’s 10.54 acres, and the zoning requires at least one full-service restaurant of 6,000 square feet or more, with no housing allowed. The one sticking point was a possible drive-thru: the mayor pro tem said she’d rather see a nice sit-down restaurant with a patio there, and Council Member Brooks said the property might have the best view in town. Final votes are Tuesday, Nov. 3. Watch the discussion.
A Sedalia retreat center is selling off 80 acres for homes
The Sacred Heart Retreat Center, the Jesuit retreat house off Highway 67 in Sedalia, is selling nearly 80 of its 277 acres for single-family homes: one 40-acre lot (asking $1.4 million) and seven 5- to 6-acre lots (asking $375,000 to $450,000). Six of the seven smaller lots are already under contract. The money's going toward the center's first major renovation since it was built in 1959: new bathrooms, updated bedrooms, a new boiler.
Castle Rock Jobs
Looking for more? Every open job we track across the county lives at dougcosocial.com/jobs.
Best of Douglas County
Don't forget to get your vote in. You can always change it or add more as you try new places.
Tons of categories. Best burger, best green chile, best cinnamon roll, etc. Takes a minute or two. No wrong answers.
Events
Ad
Featured Event: All American Collectors Expo
Find your next collecting hobby
Castle Rock, get ready to explore hundreds of tables of TCG, Legos, comics, sports, Funko, voice actors, content creators and more. Fri Oct 30 (VIP, 4 to 7pm), Sat Oct 31 (VIP early entry 9 to 10am, general 10am to 5pm) and Sun Nov 1 (10am to 4pm) at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.
Top Events This Week
Tue 10/27 - Bruichladdich Vault Experience at Provision, Provision - 6pm–8pm - $120
Thu 10/29 - Byron Miller Live!, The Old North End Restaurant & Deli - 6pm–8pm - Free
Fri 10/30 - Fangtastic Festival, Festival Park - 11am–2pm - Free
Fri 10/30 - Paranormal Cirque Voodoo, Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - 7:30pm - $20–$65
Sat 10/31 - That Eighties Band Halloween Party at Wide Open Saloon, Wide Open Saloon - 7pm–10:30pm - $17.85–$33.85
Sun 11/1 - John Denver Tribute Matinee at Cherokee Ranch & Castle, Cherokee Ranch & Castle - 1:30pm–5:15pm - $80.75–$86
Tuesday, 10/27:
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Castle Tour at Cherokee Ranch & Castle - 10am–11:30am - $21–$24
Sinners & Saints - Make & Mingle at Sinners & Saints - 5pm–7pm - Free
Pines Bar and Grill - Trivia Night at Pines Bar and Grill - 6pm–8pm - Free
Provision - Bruichladdich Vault Experience at Provision - 6pm–8pm - $120
The Stagecoach Saloon - Line Dancing with Joyce - 6:30pm–9pm - Free
The Whiskey Lodge - Tuesday Trivia at The Whiskey Lodge - 7pm - Free
Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co. - Geeks Who Drink Trivia at Wild Blue Yonder - 7pm–9pm - Free
Wednesday, 10/28:
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Castle Tour at Cherokee Ranch & Castle - 10am–11:30am - $21–$24
The Exchange Coffee House - Mystic Moonlight at The Canyons - 5:30pm–8pm - Free
105 West Brewing Company - Trails N' Ales Mountain Bike Ride at 105 West - 6pm–7pm - Free
Alidade Brewing - Music Bingo at Alidade - 6pm–8pm - Free
Pines Bar and Grill - Karaoke Night at Pines Bar and Grill - 6pm–9pm - Free
Sinners & Saints - Bingo at Sinners & Saints - 6:30pm–9pm - Free
Castle Rock Museum - Ghostly Stories and Tragic Tales Walking Tour - 7pm–8pm - Free
Thursday, 10/29:
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Castle Tour at Cherokee Ranch & Castle - 10am–11:30am - $21–$24
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Afternoon Tea at the Castle - 1pm–3pm - $74.95
105 West Brewing Company - Trivia Night at 105 West Brewing - 6pm–8:30pm - Free
Douglas County Libraries - Castle Pines - Haunted Histories: Ghosts of Colorado - 6pm–7:30pm - Free
Crowfoot Valley Coffee & Crowbar - Halloween Trivia Night - 6pm–8pm - Free
Pines Bar and Grill - Open Mic Night at Pines Bar and Grill - 6pm–9pm - Free
The Old North End Restaurant & Deli - Byron Miller Live! - 6pm–8pm - Free
Wide Open Saloon - Thursday Line Dancing at Wide Open Saloon - 6pm–10pm - Free
The Stagecoach Saloon - Trivia & Karaoke Night at The Stagecoach Saloon - 6pm - Free
Castle Rock Museum - Ghostly Stories and Tragic Tales Walking Tour - 7pm–8pm - Free
Sinners & Saints - Western Line Dancing Night at Sinners & Saints - 7pm–9pm - Free
Friday, 10/30:
AdventHealth Castle Rock - Mommy and Me Market - 9am–12pm - Free
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Castle Tour at Cherokee Ranch & Castle - 10am–11:30am - $21–$24
Festival Park - Fangtastic Festival - 11am–2pm - Free
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Afternoon Tea at the Castle - 1pm–3pm - $74.95
105 West Brewing Company - Halloween Party & Cereal Killer Competition at 105 West - 4pm - Free
Alidade Brewing - Halloween Music Party at Alidade Brewing - 5pm–10pm - Free
Pines Bar and Grill - Live Band at Pines Bar and Grill - 6pm–9pm - Free
Wide Open Saloon - Winchester Road at Wide Open Saloon - 7pm–10:30pm - Free
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - The Jerseys Live at The Castle - 7pm–10:45pm - $87.45 (Sold Out)
The Whiskey Lodge - Friday Karaoke at The Whiskey Lodge - 7pm - Free
Sinners & Saints - Hot Boots Duo — Live at the Altar - 8pm–10pm - Free
Lone Creek Farms - Harvest Glow Lights at Lone Creek Farms - Fri–Sat nights - Included with admission
Saturday, 10/31:
Castle Rock Museum - Ghostly Stories and Tragic Tales Walking Tour - 1pm–2pm - Free
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Paranormal Cirque Voodoo - 6:30pm - $20–$65
The Stagecoach Saloon - The Band These Guys at The Stagecoach Saloon - 6:30pm–10:30pm - Free
105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: Last Call at 105 West - 6:30pm–9:30pm - Free
The Whiskey Lodge - Saturday Live Music at The Whiskey Lodge - 7pm - Free
The Whiskey Lodge - Halloween Party at The Whiskey Lodge - 7pm - Free
Sinners & Saints - Halloween Party at Sinners & Saints with DJ Max & DJ Marvin - 8pm–12am - Free
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Paranormal Cirque Voodoo - 9:30pm - $20–$65
Sunday, 11/1:
Teaology Tea Cafe - All Things Spiritual - 10am–12pm - Free
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Paranormal Cirque Voodoo - 5:30pm - $20–$65
The Whiskey Lodge - Sunday Karaoke at The Whiskey Lodge - 6pm - Free
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Paranormal Cirque Voodoo - 8:30pm - $20–$65
Monday, 11/2:
105 West Brewing Company - Trails N' Ales Run Club at 105 West - 6pm–7pm - Free
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Paranormal Cirque Voodoo - 7:30pm - $20–$65
Looking for more? Every Douglas County event we track lives on our events calendar: dougcosocial.com/events.
Heads up on events that are further out:
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Arts Afield 2026 at Cherokee Ranch - Wed 11/4, 8:30am–12:30pm - $39
Alidade Brewing - Plant Bingo at Alidade Brewing - Thu 11/5, 6pm–8pm - $35
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Bella Bella at Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Thu 11/5, 6:45pm–9:45pm - $74.50 (Sold Out)
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Holiday Tea at the Castle - Fri 11/6, 12:15pm–2:15pm - $80.95
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Wine Tasting: Italian Wines at Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Fri 11/6, 6pm–9:15pm - $68.95
The Stagecoach Saloon - Walker Williams Live at Stagecoach Saloon - Fri 11/6, 6:30pm–10:30pm - Free
Sinners & Saints - LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALTAR – Tyler Stanfield - Fri 11/6, 8pm–10pm - Free
Wide Open Saloon - Ashlee and the Longshot Revival at Wide Open Saloon - Fri 11/6 - Free
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - 34th Annual Castle Rock Craft Show Extraordinaire - Sat 11/7, 9am–4pm - Free
Elk Ridge Park - Leaf and Pumpkin Composting - Sat 11/7, 9am–2pm - Free
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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