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Midweek Sunshine, Weekend Snow? Let’s Soak It Up While We Can 🌷❄️

Midweek Sunshine, Weekend Snow? Let’s Soak It Up While We Can 🌷❄️

April 16, 2025

Winter’s making one last-ditch effort to hang on this weekend—but before we find ourselves brushing snow off Easter eggs, let’s enjoy this stretch of midweek spring sunshine!

The Castle Rock Film Festival wrapped up with some amazing local talent taking center stage, and there’s plenty happening around the county to carry you into the weekend.

In today’s DougCo Download:

3rd annual Castle Rock Film Festival concludes!

Sports complex in Sterling Ranch Approved

State of the Art Gym Franchise opening first CO location in Highlands Ranch

Cute dogs, fun events, and more

Here we go.

Community Spotlight

https://filmfreeway.com/CastleRockFilmFestival

The 2025 Winners of the Castle Rock Film Festival are announced!

The Castle Rock Film Festival, now concluded its third year, is an annual celebration of short films, documentaries, music videos, and experimental works, proudly hosted by the Castle Rock Artist Alliance (CRAA). Held every April in Castle Rock, Colorado, the festival showcases creative storytelling while supporting a powerful cause—all profits and donations benefit CRAA’s Veterans and First Responders Art Therapy Program, which provides free art classes to those who’ve served our communities.

The festival welcomed filmmakers from around the world and embraces inclusive stories and diverse voices. Films are judged on their quality and storytelling, not social media presence or prior recognition. All submissions must be 30 minutes or less. This years event concluded last week and we have the results. Drum roll please

This years Award Winners:

Outstanding Documentary - Rocks 4 Sale! I David Dibble
Outstanding Short Film - Yes, No Goodbye I Will Mustin
Outstanding Music Video - Up & Out I Alex Bugg
Best Rising Star - The Exodus I Ryan Michael Jaroch
Best Picture - Orange I Tim Koch, Jake Shipley, Astrid Lark

Great cause and some really creative art coming out of Douglas County, check out more at the Castle Rock Art Alliance

Meet Zebulon, Douglas County’s Sports Complex MegaProject

Douglas County and Sterling Ranch Development Company are teaming up with public and private partners to create Zebulon, a state-of-the-art regional sports complex offering facilities for hockey, basketball, soccer, football, and more—while preserving over 400 acres of open space. Funded in part by voter-approved sales tax revenue, the project will transform a former industrial area into a family-focused community hub. Residents can learn more about Zebulon and other parks and open space projects at a Live Town Hall in April.

Local Business Spotlight

Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs to Open Flagship Colorado Location in Highlands Ranch

Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs is making its Colorado debut with a new 20,000-square-foot facility in Highlands Ranch, owned by local entrepreneurs Brooke and Carlos Aguilera. This is the first of a number of planned Colorado locations as they plan to expand in the next 5 years. Located at 2680 East County Line Road (right next to Max Taps), the state’s first location will be the franchise’s largest, featuring cutting-edge fitness and recovery amenities, group classes, and wellness services like cryotherapy and acupuncture. Slated to open in the coming months, the club aims to foster a strong sense of community while supporting local businesses and charitable causes.

DougCo Pet of the Week

This is a new segment we are highlighting on Wednesdays! 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!

Shoutout to Matt L from Castle Rock! Thanks for supporting the newsletter, you have a good looking pup named Tatum. Good luck keeping your floors muddy paw free this weekend with the snow!

Local Events: Wednesday-Friday

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

Family Fun

Bark for Books
🐶 Thursday, April 17 | 🕓 4:00–5:30pm
📍 Lone Tree Library

Kids ages 6–12 can build reading confidence by reading to friendly therapy dogs. Sign up for a 15-minute session!

Magic Rocks! with Leon Etienne
🗓️ Friday, April 18 | 🕢 7:30–9:30pm
📍 PACE Center, Parker | $44

Catch illusionist Leon Etienne in this family-friendly show featuring grand illusions, sleight of hand, and comedy. Don’t miss this jaw-dropping experience! Tickets here!

Adult Community Events

Tales & Travels Book Club
📖 Wednesday, April 16 | 🕦 11:30am–12:30pm
📍 Lone Tree Library, Event Hall

Join fellow adults to explore new places and cultures through fiction and non-fiction reads.

Brain Health Fitness – Ageless Grace
🗓️ Wednesday, April 16 | 🕜 1:30–2:30pm
📍 Highlands Ranch Library, Event Hall A

Boost brain health with fun, seated exercises set to music! No registration needed—just wear comfy clothes and bring water.

Adaptations Book Club
📚 Wednesday, April 16 | 🕠 5:30–7:30pm
📍 Highlands Ranch Library, Event Hall B

Join monthly to discuss books and their film adaptations. Watch the movie before the meeting for a lively conversation!

Book Lovers: Book Talk
📚 Wednesday, April 16 | 🕕 6:00–7:45pm
📍 Parker Library, Event Hall A & B + Terrace

Enjoy staff book picks and a special virtual interview with author Karin Slaughter and Will Trent star Ramón Rodríguez. Adults. Registration required. Door prizes included!

Great Decisions: India – A Rising Power
🌍 Thursday, April 17 | 🕕 6:00–8:00pm
📍 Parker Library, Event Hall B

Join guest lecturer Dr. Debak Das from DU’s Korbel School for a thought-provoking discussion on India’s global rise. Registration required.

Wild in Our Town
🗓️ Friday, April 18, 2025 | 🕓 4:00–5:30pm
📍 Philip & Jerry Miller Library, Castle Rock

Experience an interactive wildlife education program with live displays and expert tips on local fauna. Free and open to all ages—no registration required.

Adult Events

Bikes n Brews ADV Bike Night
🗓️ Wednesday, April 16, 2025 | 🕠 5:30pm
📍 Lone Tree Brewing Company, Lone Tree

Calling all adventure and dual sport riders! Join LTB for a night of bikes, brews, and community. Learn essential skills like tire repair from our expert tech, Josh, followed by a tour of their facility. Enjoy drinks, food trucks, and meet fellow riders. Plus, a chance to win a FREE oil change! Sizzle Food Truck will be in the parking lot.

Trails N' Ales (Mountain Bike)
🗓️ Wednesday, April 16, 2025 | 🕕 6:00–7:00pm
📍 Bison Park, Castle Rock

Join them for a fun trail ride followed by a cold beer at 105 West Brewing! Meet at Bison Park, then enjoy $1 off beers after the ride. Grab your bike and hit the trails!

Trivia Night
🗓️ Wednesday, April 16, 2025 | 🕕 6:00–8:00pm
📍 Lone Tree Brewing, Parker
18425 Pony Express Dr, Parker, CO 80134

Join LTB for a fun-filled trivia night! Test your knowledge and win some awesome prizes, including Lone Tree beer. Come out and show off your trivia skills!

Trivia Night
🗓️ Thursday, April 17, 2025 | 🕕 6:00–8:00pm
📍 Lone Tree Brewing Company, Lone Tree

Test your knowledge and win free beer! Join LTB every Thursday night for trivia rounds, with crowlers of Lone Tree beer for the winners. Come for the fun, stay for the prizes!

Curtain Call at the Mansion: Simply Jazz
🎶 Thursday, April 17 | 🕡 6:30–8:00pm
📍 Highlands Ranch Mansion, 9950 E Gateway Dr

Enjoy an evening of Early Jazz, Swing, and Blues with the legendary Queen City Jazz Band. Doors open at 6:00pm. Indoor seating, cash bar, no food served. Get your tickets here!

Music Bingo!
🗓️ Thursday, April 17 | 🕡 6:30–8:30pm
📍 Living the Dream Brewing, Highlands Ranch

Join for a fun night of bingo with a musical twist! Multiple chances to win prizes. Food trucks and drinks available. Themes change weekly—come early, grab a bite, and test your music knowledge!

WEATHER

Weekend Lineup

Friday, April 18

📍 Parker | Magic Rocks Illusionist | ⏰ 7:30 PM

Saturday, April 19

Sunday, April 20

📍 Highlands Ranch | Farmers Market | ⏰ 10:00 AM

As always, we welcome your feedback and would love your help! If you know of amazing new businesses or exciting events happening in the area, we’d love to help spread the word. Send us an email at [email protected].

Don’t hesitate to reach out with your suggestions — we’re all about keeping our community connected and in the loop!

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