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From Snowplows to Sharp Opinions: What Douglas County Thinks in 2025

From Snowplows to Sharp Opinions: What Douglas County Thinks in 2025

May 28, 2025

Welcome back to the midweek edition!
In this Wednesday issue, we focus on Douglas County on how it’s citizens feel about it, how they can help CPW, and most importantly the best ice cream spots to check out this summer. We also highlight some great coffee in Lone Tree and Tracy’s adorable pup Aspen!

In today’s DougCo Download:

“Douglas County residents are happy.” Says Douglas County residents.
Adorable pups
Membership at Happy Crew Coffee House offers more than a good latte!
Music, fun events, and more

Here we go.

Best Ice Cream in Douglas County

With Summer around the corner, we could all use some suggestions. And I am including frozen yogurt in this.

Community Spotlight

Douglas County Releases Full Results of 2025 Citizen Survey

Douglas County residents overwhelmingly view their community as safe and family-friendly, according to the 2025 Citizen Survey. Results show 94% of respondents believe the county is a safe place to live and work, and 89% agree it's a good place to raise a family. Public services also received high marks, with parks, snow plowing, and the sheriff’s office among the top-rated. However, opinions on local government direction and responsiveness were more divided, often along partisan lines. The full survey results—including feedback on camping, Home Rule, and Highlands Ranch—are now available online. Full results available here!

Photo by: Colorado Parks & Wildlife

CPW Seeks Public Help to Spot Rare Plains Sharp-Tailed Grouse Near Roxborough State Park

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is calling on residents and visitors near Roxborough State Park to report sightings of the endangered Plains Sharp-Tailed Grouse. Once common in the area, these rare birds have become scarce. CPW encourages anyone who spots the grouse to take photos or videos and contact the appropriate CPW office to aid conservation efforts. The birds usually remain within a 10-mile radius, making local reports especially valuable for tracking and protecting this vulnerable species. Read more at Denver7.com.

Douglas County Celebrates Older Adults During Older Americans Month

Douglas County has declared May 2025 as Older Americans Month, recognizing residents over 55 as essential mentors, leaders, and contributors to the community. To honor their impact, the County will host a Live Town Hall and Resource Fair on June 11 at 100 Third St. in Castle Rock. The in-person fair runs from 3–4 p.m., followed by the town hall meeting, which can also be joined online or by phone. Learn more about local services for older adults at douglas.co.us/older-adult-initiative.

DougCo Weekly Giveaway

Congrats to Debbie from Parker! Check your inbox and I can get you the latest gift card! Enjoy some Margaritas on The DougCo Download!

This Giveaway ends next Sunday, June 1 at noon MST.

You can send in a submission by doing the following:

Answer a poll hidden in one of the weeks issues
Connect with our social accounts and submit your newsletter subscriber email to a a form I have posted on our instagram and facebook account!

All of these will count as individual submissions. And make sure the emails you submit on Facebook and Instagram forms are the same that are signed up here because this giveaway is just meant as a benefit to subscribers, not social media treasure hunters so any non subscriber emails submissions will not count.

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DougCo Brew

Happy Crew Coffee House — Brewing Community and Hope in Lone Tree

The kids and I enjoyed the unique and very cool atmosphere on Tuesday. If you take the stairs, you’ll find a great open space with some amazing views.

Happy Crew Coffee House in Lone Tree, Colorado, is more than just a local café—it’s a nonprofit with a heartfelt mission to support teen mental health and foster community well-being. Founded to create a safe and welcoming space, Happy Crew combines great coffee with a powerful purpose: every purchase helps fund programs that promote mental health awareness and provide support for Colorado’s youth.

Open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., the café offers a cozy atmosphere perfect for meeting friends, working remotely, or simply enjoying a delicious cup of coffee. Their menu features thoughtfully sourced beans and expertly crafted drinks that satisfy any coffee lover’s palate.

Happy Crew also offers membership programs that provide perks like access to special events, workshops, and wellness activities aimed at fostering connection and resilience among teens and community members alike. Through these efforts, Happy Crew is building a community where young people feel valued, supported, and inspired.

Whether you stop by for your morning brew or join their mission through membership, you’re helping create a positive impact in Lone Tree and beyond.

More info: happycrewcoffeehouse.com

🕰️ Open M - F
7:00 am - 3:00 pm M - F

DougCo Pet of the Week

Everyones favorite segment! We all love our pets and they are part of the family! So email me at [email protected] with your best pet pics and we can feature them as part of the DougCo community! Keep them coming!

Shoutout to Tracy who is new to Castle Rock! Aspen is going to have to shed the winter coat and get ready for the summer hikes this year! Thanks for supporting the DougCo Download!

Local Events: Wednesday-Friday

This section includes only the major events happening soon. Check the Weekend Lineup later in the issue for some help planning out your weekend!

Family Fun

Bark for Books
📅 Wed, May 28 | 🕓 4:00–5:30 PM
📍 Parker Library

Kids ages 6–12 can practice reading skills by reading aloud to friendly, trained therapy dogs. Registration required for a 15-minute session.

Overbooked Book Club
📅 Wed, May 28 | 🕔 5:00–6:00 PM
📍 Highlands Ranch Library, 1st Floor Conference Room

Middle schoolers (Grades 7–8), join us to chat about great reads, do a fun activity, and enjoy a snack! Pick up this month’s book at the children's desk.

Play Chess!
📅 Wed, May 28 | 🕠 5:30–8:00 PM
📍 Highlands Ranch Library, Event Hall B

Join players of all ages for casual, friendly chess. New to the game? Come early for a lesson at 5:30 PM. Drop in and make your next move!

Rock the Mountain at the Outlets at Castle Rock
📅 Fri, May 30 | 🕛 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Family Fun Fridays)
📍 Outlets at Castle Rock – East 4th Street Courtyard (next to H&M)

Enjoy free kid-friendly activities from 12–2 PM.

Adult Community Events

20 Mile Book Club
📅 Wed, May 28 | 🕤 9:30–11:00 AM
📍 Parker Library, Event Hall B

Join fellow book lovers for a monthly discussion of both fiction and nonfiction reads.

Newbie Adults Book Club
📅 Wed, May 28 | 🕕 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 Lone Tree Library, The Studio

Join fellow adults to discuss books featuring protagonists in early adulthood. Meets the fourth Wednesday of each month. Registration required.

Adult Events

Dogtopia Pop-Up
📅 Wed, May 28 | 🕔 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 Living the Dream Brewing, Highlands Ranch

Hang out with Dogtopia and fellow dog lovers at this fun brewery pop-up! Bring your pup and maybe win a free month of dog daycare.

Trails N' Ales (Mountain Bike)
📅 Wed, May 28 | 🕕 6:00–7:00 PM
📍 Meet at Bison Park, then return to 105 West Brewing, Castle Rock

Join a trail ride and enjoy $1 off beers afterward!

D&D Night
📅 Wed, May 28 | 🕕 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Honnibrook Meadery, Castle Rock

Gather your party for an evening of Dungeons & Dragons fun and adventure!

Trivia Night
📅 Wed, May 28 | 🕕 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Lone Tree Brewing, Parker

Test your knowledge and have fun with friends at trivia night!

Euchre Tournament
📅 Wed, May 28 | 🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Lone Tree Brewing, Lone Tree

Teams of 2 (or paired solo players) compete for prizes! All skill levels welcome. Register: [email protected].

Trivia Night
📅 Thu, May 29 | 🕕 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Lone Tree Brewing, Lone Tree

Test your knowledge and win crowlers of beer! 🍻 Free to play.

🎶 Country Dance Night
📅 Thu, May 29 | 🕕 6:00–10:00 PM
📍 Wide Open Saloon, Sedalia

Free dance lessons with Marla Gifford from 6–7:30 PM, then dance the night away with DJ hits and requests ‘til 10! 💃🕺

Trivia Night
📅 Thu, May 29 | 🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Lansdowne Arms, Highlands Ranch

Test your knowledge every Thursday night at this fun weekly trivia event! 🧠🍻

Music Bingo
📅 Thu, May 29 | 🕡 6:30–8:30 PM
📍 Living the Dream Brewing, Highlands Ranch

Play for free and win prizes! 🎶🍻 All are welcome.

Parker Wine Walk
📅 Fri, May 30 | 🕟 4:30–7:30 PM
📍 Downtown Parker | 💵 $25

Sip, stroll, and shop during the first Wine Walk of the season! Enjoy wine tastings while supporting local businesses. Tickets: ParkerWineWalk.com 🍷🛍️

🎶 Lucky Catch
📅 Fri, May 30 | 🕕 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Prost Biergarten, Highlands Ranch

Kick off your weekend with live tunes, cold bier, and great vibes!

Murder Mystery: Till Death Do Us Part
📅 Fri, May 30 | 🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Cherokee Ranch & Castle, Sedalia
💵 $84.95 (includes fees)

A wedding goes wildly off script when murder crashes the party! Help solve the mystery in this hilarious whodunnit. Costumes encouraged—wedding dresses and outrageous attire welcome!

🎶 Kenny Perkins
🗓️ Fri, May 30 | 🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Pines Bar and Grill, Castle Rock, CO

Catch Kenny Perkins live every Friday at 6 PM!

🎶 Funk It Up Band
📅 Fri, May 30 | 🕖 7:00–10:30 PM
📍 Wide Open Saloon, Sedalia
💵 $5 Cover

Get ready to dance! This high-energy 7-piece band brings the funk with hits from Prince, Earth Wind & Fire, Santana, and more.

🎶 MUSIC AT THE ALTAR: Giant Zero
📅 Fri, May 30 | 🕗 8:00 PM
📍 Sinners & Saints, Castle Rock

Join us for Giant Zero’s live show at The Altar — an intimate Friday night music experience.

Weather

Weekend Lineup

🎶 Live music

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