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Growing Douglas County: Protecting Nature & Expanding Opportunity
April 9, 2025
Happy Wednesday, half way through the week and I am slowly realizing that “keeping lawn alive” season is approaching. Some great weather continuing through the middle of the week so let’s make the most of it and get out and have a mid week adventure. Dog parks are back in play now that we got through the post snow mud. Today’s news piece will focus on Douglas County focusing on growing the right way, great new living spaces as well as preserving the natural beauty of the area.
In today’s DougCo Download:
Castle Rock gains 681 acres of pristine land
Lone Tree has tremendous growth planned for years to come
Here we go.
THE DIGEST
Lost Canyon Saved: Inside the $15M Effort to Protect Castle Rock’s Wilderness
Castle Rock has acquired 681 acres of wilderness at Lost Canyon Ranch, marking the largest open space addition in the town’s history. This $15 million conservation win—years in the making—was secured through a collaboration between the town, The Conservation Fund, Great Outdoors Colorado, and Douglas County.
Lost Canyon is a stunning blend of grasslands, ponderosa forests, rocky cliffs, and historic cultural sites. The area was long sought by developers, but the town resisted annexation and development efforts. Thanks to a perfectly timed mix of local funding and lottery-supported grants, Castle Rock preserved this natural gem, which neighbors Castlewood Canyon State Park and helps form nearly 4,300 acres of contiguous protected land.
While the space is currently gated, plans are underway for minor recreation development and careful management to protect wildlife, ancient archeological sites, and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Councilmembers and residents see this as a strong message: open space preservation is a top priority, especially as urban sprawl continues across Colorado’s Front Range.
📖 Read the full article here (The Tribune). Let me know if you want a visual map or trail plans once they’re released!
Douglas County keeps on growing, Lone Tree explosive growth planned over the next decade 🏠🏗️
The RidgeGate development, spanning 3,500 acres in Lone Tree, represents the city's largest area of growth over the next few decades. Situated south of Lincoln Avenue and east and west of I-25, RidgeGate is being designed as a mixed-use urban environment offering residential, employment, shopping, and dining options.
Current and Future Growth:
Population: Currently home to nearly 5,000 residents, RidgeGate is projected to host 30,000 residents and 50,000 jobs once fully developed.
RidgeGate West (1,500 acres west of I-25) Home to major employers like Sky Ridge Medical Center, Charles Schwab, Kiewit, and a range of retail and residential areas.
Includes amenities such as:
Lone Tree Arts Center
Lone Tree Recreation Center
Douglas County Libraries
Bluffs Regional Park
Development status: Nearing completion, with only a few vacant sites left and 250 acres of land still zoned for Rural Residential development.
RidgeGate East (2,000 acres east of I-25) Key features: Includes RidgeGate Parkway, Lone Tree City Center, RTD stations, and large natural areas like Happy Canyon Creek and Badger Gulch.
Planned Development:
Lone Tree City Center will serve as the city’s new downtown, with a mix of commercial, office, residential spaces, and public amenities, including a festival street for community events.
The East Villages Sub-Area Plan outlines three villages, including the Southwest Village, which will feature 1,800 homes, 200 acres of open space, and Lone Tree’s first regional park.
The Central Village Couplet District will provide multi-family housing, senior residential spaces, and new recreational facilities.
This expansion is positioning RidgeGate as a vibrant urban hub with ample amenities, green spaces, and transportation connectivity, further enhancing Lone Tree's appeal as a growing residential and business destination.
Visit cityoflonetree.com for more news on the progression of the project!
LOCAL BUSINESS
Highlands Ranch Teens Turn Pandemic Baking Hobby into Thriving Business, "Little Sistas Treats
Zyaire and Char'les Hawkins, two enterprising teens from Highlands Ranch, have turned their passion for baking into a successful business, "Little Sistas Treats." Beginning during the pandemic, their brand has quickly gained a strong local following, with innovative offerings like their signature cheesecake cones. The girls, inspired by their great-grandmother's background in the restaurant industry, have also crafted their own catchy jingle and brand logo.
Their entrepreneurial journey, guided by their mom, highlights the power of confidence, hard work, and creativity. Looking ahead, they have ambitions to expand with a food truck and possibly even a concession stand at a major venue, all while having fun and inspiring others to follow their dreams
Support these entrepreneurs at https://www.littlesistastreats.com/
You can read the original article at CBSnews
COMMUNITY EVENTS
This section includes only the major events happening soon. For a complete list of all events, you'll have to wait for future editions!
🧠 Brain Health Fitness – Presented by Ageless Grace
📅 Wednesday, April 9
🕜 1:30pm – 2:30pm
📍 Castle Rock Library – Event Hall B
This drop-in session is designed for adults and focuses on promoting cognitive well-being through movement, music, and imaginative activities. Based on the Ageless Grace program, the exercises are done while seated and aim to stimulate memory, creativity, and brain function in a fun, accessible way.
No registration is required—just drop by and enjoy the brain-boosting benefits!
🪑🎶 Great for all mobility levels!
You can find more info or future sessions on the Douglas County Libraries event page.
📖 Teen Reads for Grown-Ups – Book Club for Adults
📅 Wednesday, April 9
🕡 6:30pm – 8:00pm
📍 Castle Rock Library – Event Hall A
🔗 Register Here via Douglas County Libraries
This monthly book club invites adults to explore and discuss young adult (YA) literature across a variety of genres. Held on the second Wednesday of each month, it's perfect for grown-up fans of YA books or anyone curious about the appeal of teen fiction.
📌 Registration is required to attend. Spaces may be limited, so signing up early is recommended.
📚 Newbie Adults Book Club
📅 Thursday, April 10
🕕 6:00pm – 7:30pm
📍 Castle Rock Library – Conference Room C
🔗 Register via Douglas County Libraries
This monthly club is designed for adults who enjoy reading stories centered on characters navigating early adulthood. It’s a great pick if you like contemporary fiction or coming-of-age tales that reflect the experiences of twentysomethings stepping into independence, careers, relationships, and all the ups and downs of growing up.
📌 Registration is required – perfect for new readers or anyone wanting a welcoming, relatable group to dive into fresh reads with.
Castle Rock Historical Society & Museum Monthly Presentation
🗓 Thursday, April 10, 2025
🕠 Time: 7:00pm- 8:00pm
📍 Location: Castle Rock Historical Society & Museum
Join local storyteller Ron Claussen as he explores the lesser-known history of the Castlewood Canyon Dam in this month’s presentation. While many are familiar with the dramatic failure of the dam, this event digs into the intriguing story before it burst.
🏛️ Was the Castlewood Dam actually a development scheme?
📜 What do the court documents from 1883 reveal?
🏞️ Why was it even built, and how did it get the name Castlewood?
Expect a fascinating journey into local history full of insight, mystery, and unexpected twists. Perfect for history buffs and curious locals alike! More details at crgov.
WEATHER
Wednesday:
69° 🌡️ 37° | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 NNW 14 mph (gusts up to 22 mph)
Thursday:
67° 🌡️ 39° | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 NW 10 mph
Restaurant Events, Music, and more
Wednesday Apr 9
📍 Highlands Ranch Prost Brewery - Book Swap
Date & Time: Wednesday, April 9, 2025, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Details: Highlands Ranch Book Swap Society hosts events around the Highlands Ranch, Colorado area for people to pass along their books to new readers in exchange for different books to take home for themselves! $5 RSVP
📍Highlands Ranch Max Taps Events
Taste of Back Home Food Truck
Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Details: Enjoy a variety of comfort food classics from the Taste of Back Home food truck.Colorado Craft Beer
Wednesday Night Dart League
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Details: Join fellow dart enthusiasts for a friendly competition. All skill levels are welcome.
Thursday Apr 10
📍 Highlands Ranch Trivia Night - Lansdowne Arms
Date & Time: Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM
Details: Lansdowne Arms in Highlands Ranch hosts JAMMIN' Trivia Night every Thursday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Participants can join individually or as a team, and the top three teams have the opportunity to win prizes.
📍 Highlands Ranch Living The Dream - "Beer For Bucks" HRCA Backcountry Wilderness Area
Date & Time: Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00PM Living The Dream
Details: $1 of each beer sold from 6:00 - 8:00 is donated to the HRCA Backcountry Wilderness Area.
📍Highlands Ranch Max Taps Events
Wing Daddy's Food Truck
Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Details: Savor delicious wings and other offerings from Wing Daddy's food truck.
Free Poker Night
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Details: Test your poker face in a free-to-play poker night. Prizes awarded to top players.
📍 Lone Tree Brewing Trivia Night
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Details: Test your knowledge and compete for prizes. Winners receive crowlers of Lone Tree beer. City of Lone Tree +3 Lone Tree Brewing Company +3 Log in or sign up to view +3
Location: Lone Tree Brewing Company, 8222 Park Meadows Dr, Lone Tree, CO 80124
Food Truck: Big Stuff Colorado
Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍Castle Rock Trails N' Ales (Mountain Bike)
📅 Date/Time: Thursday, April 10, 2025 | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Meet at Bison Park, then head to 105 Brewing
🍺 Enjoy $1 off beers after the ride!Join fellow mountain biking enthusiasts for a trail ride at Bison Park, and afterward, head to 105 Brewing for a refreshing drink with $1 off your beer! Whether you're a seasoned rider or a casual biker, this event is a great way to get outdoors, stay active, and enjoy some local brews.
Thank you for checking in on The DougCo Download this week. Enjoy the great weather this week and support our local businesses. If you got some ideas on things to do or enjoyed the issue, please share with someone else you think could enjoy some of the stories and gems in the Download. Cheers!