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Take a Prehistoric Journey with Your Family in 2025

Take a Prehistoric Journey with Your Family in 2025

May 14, 2025

Welcome back to the midweek edition!
This issue features spotlights on the local community, including a craft coffee gem in Castle Rock and a summer dinosaur adventure for Douglas County authors—mark your calendars! Plus, get an early look at weekend plans around the county and find out what you can get up to over the next few days.

In today’s DougCo Download:

Prehistoric site open in DougCo
Highlands Ranch Author releases powerful new book
Stop by Coff33 in Castle Rock for a great cup of coffee
Cute dogs, fun events, and more

Here we go.

What part of Douglas County do you live in?

Community Spotlight

Take a Prehistoric Journey with Your Family in 2025

Looking for an educational and exciting way to spend time with your family this spring and summer? Take a step back in time at the Lamb Spring Archaeological Preserve in Douglas County, a site dating back to the last Ice Age.

Free guided tours of this world-renowned historical site are available at 9 a.m. on one Saturday each month, from May through October, starting with May 17.

The tour will take you through a prehistoric resting place of mammoth, horse, camel, bison, and sloth, and provide insight into early human artifacts that help shape North America's history. Be sure to RSVP in advance, as the tour includes a short hike, and guests may bring a chair for the initial presentation. Note that there are no restrooms or water available on-site.

Visit www.lambspring.org to sign up or email [email protected] for more information.

Highlands Ranch Author Releases New Book on Mental Health After Breast Cancer

Diane M. Simard, an award-winning author and breast cancer survivor, has published her latest book, Unlikely Gifts Unwrapped: Unfiltered Reflections on Life After Breast Cancer. In this raw and honest work, Simard explores the often overlooked mental health effects of surviving breast cancer. Drawing from her own experience with stage III cancer, she delves into the emotional challenges that linger long after treatment ends. The book also features insights from mental health professionals, aiming to raise awareness and advocate for more education on cancer-related trauma. This is Simard’s third book on the topic, following the success of her previous award-winning works.

Read more at DenverPost.com.

DougCo Weekly Giveaway

Congrats to Shelby from Parker! Thanks for the feedback and supporting the newsletter! Enjoy some Margaritas on The DougCo Download!

This Giveaway ends next Sunday, May 18 at noon MST.

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DougCo Brew

Local Spotlight: COFF33 in Castle Rock

I stopped by COFF33 over the weekend to grab a latte. Really great staff and a cool cafe to grab a quick drink or settle in and get some work done. Located in the heart of downtown Castle Rock, COFF33 is a cozy, community-focused coffee shop serving premium brews from local roaster Lost Coffee. With a welcoming atmosphere, free Wi-Fi, and a reservable meeting space, it’s a popular spot for remote workers, casual meetups, and coffee lovers alike.

Shoutout to the latte art!

Beyond great coffee—including favorites like the “Elusive Giraffe” house blend—COFF33 is a hub for local connection, showcasing local art and encouraging customers to share their stories.

Stop by 20 Wilcox Street, Suite 111C, or visit coff33.co to learn more.

🕰️ Open daily
6:30 am - 5:00 pm on weekdays
7:00 am - 5:00 pm on weekends

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!

Shoutout to a big friend of the newsletter, Taylor in Highlands Ranch! Stella here is a cutie! 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

Basics of Birdwatching Guided Walk (Part 2)
🗓️ Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | 🕗 8:00–10:00 AM
📍 East Plum Creek Trail, Castle Rock, CO

Join a Natural Resource Specialist for a two-hour walk to spot migratory songbirds and birds of prey. Bring your binoculars! Register here!

Bark for Books
🗓️ Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | 🕓 4:00–5:30 PM
📍 Lone Tree Library

Kids ages 6–12 can boost reading skills by reading to friendly, trained therapy dogs. Sign up for a 15-minute session!

Brick-It Book Club
🗓️ Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | 🕟 4:30–5:30 PM
📍 Castle Rock Library, Conference Room F

Kids in grades 1-3 read and discuss books with a building brick theme, incorporating STEAM principles with fun building activities! Register here!

Slick Science
🗓️ Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | 🕔 5:00–6:00 PM
📍 Parker Library, Event Hall A

Hands-on science fun for ages 8–12! This month’s theme: engineering. Registration required for each child.

Play Chess!
🗓️ Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | 🕠 5:30–8:00 PM
📍 Highlands Ranch Library, Event Hall B

Drop in for friendly competition—open to all ages and skill levels. New to chess? Come early for a beginner lesson at 5:30 PM!

Ready, Set, Read! on the Aloha Plaza
📅 Thursday, May 15 | 🕘 9 AM–12 PM
📍 Castle Rock – Aloha Plaza East

Bring your little ones for Storytime, music, snacks, crafts, and a visit from Llama Llama! Learn about free books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and local preschool resources.

Bark for Books
📅 Thursday, May 15 | 🕓 4–5:30 PM
📍 Lone Tree Library

Kids ages 6–12 can boost reading skills by reading to a therapy dog. Sign up for a 15-minute session!

Adult Community Events

Arts in the Afternoon: Just a Few Friends – Mozart and Brahms
🗓️ Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | 🕜 1:30 PM
📍 Lone Tree Arts Center, Lone Tree, CO

Enjoy an afternoon of intimate chamber music by Mozart and Brahms, performed by Phillip Stevens and friends, with stories and insights from concert host Betsy Schwarm. 🎻🎶 Get tickets here.

Brain Health Fitness
🗓️ Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | 🕜 1:30–2:30 PM
📍 Castle Rock Library, Event Hall B

Join us for seated exercises with music, designed to boost creativity, memory, and cognitive skills. No registration needed—just drop in!

Homeowner Building Class
🗓️ Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | 🕠 5:30 PM
📍 Parker Town Hall, 20120 E. Mainstreet, Parker, CO

Learn about permits, fees, inspections, and more for home improvement projects. Bring your questions!

Inquiring Minds Book Club
📅 Thursday, May 15 | 🕐 1–3 PM
📍 Highlands Ranch Library – Event Hall A

Join fellow readers for monthly discussions on fiction and nonfiction. Open to adults!

Great Decisions: American Foreign Policy in the Middle East
📅 Thursday, May 15 | 🕕 6–8 PM
📍 Parker Library, Event Hall B

Join Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Abdrabou from DU's Korbel School for an expert-led discussion on U.S. policy in the Middle East. Registration required.

Adult Events

Burger & Beer Wednesdays
🗓️ Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | 🕚 11:00 AM–8:00 PM
📍 Ecclesia Market, Castle Rock, CO

Enjoy $5 off a Gluttony and Graze burger with your choice of draft beer or N/A beverage—order at Sinners and Saints!

Trivia Night
🗓️ Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | 🕕 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Lone Tree Brewing co, Parker, CO

Grab a drink and put your brainpower to the test at this fun midweek trivia night! 🧠🍺

Trails N' Ales (Mountain Bike)
🗓️ Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | 🕕 6:00–7:00 PM
📍 Meet at Bison Park, Castle Rock, CO

Join the mountain bike ride and explore local trails! Afterward, enjoy $1 off beers at 105 West Brewing. All skill levels welcome!

Music Bingo
🗓️ Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | 🕕 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Iron Mule Brewery, Castle Rock, CO

Join the fun at Iron Mule Brewery for an interactive music bingo night! Play along and win prizes while enjoying craft brews.

Trivia Night
🗓️ Thursday, May 15, 2025 | 🕕 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Lone Tree Brewing, Lone Tree, CO

Test your smarts and win beer! Join us every Thursday night for trivia—winners of each round take home crowlers of Lone Tree beer. Cheers!

Trivia Night
🗓️ Every Thursday | 🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Lansdowne Arms, Highlands Ranch, CO

Join us for a fun-filled evening of trivia every Thursday at 6 PM! Gather your team and compete for great prizes. See you there!

Country Dance Night
🗓️ Thursday, May 15, 2025 | 🕕 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 Wide Open Saloon, Sedalia, CO

Enjoy a fun-filled evening with free dance lessons from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM with instructor Marla Gifford. Afterward, dance the night away with a DJ playing all your favorite tunes and taking requests until 10:00 PM! Don't miss it!

Music Bingo
🗓️ Thursday, May 15, 2025 | 🕡 6:30–8:30 PM
📍 Living the Dream Brewing, Highlands Ranch, CO

Test your music knowledge and enjoy a night of brews and bingo fun! Free to play with prizes for the winners.

Live Music: Lindley Family Duo
🗓️ Friday, May 16, 2025 | 🕔 5:00 PM
📍 Prost Biergarten, Highlands Ranch, CO

Enjoy a relaxing evening with live music from the Lindley Family Duo! Grab a drink and unwind with great tunes starting at 5:00 PM. See you there!

Live Music at Pines Bar and Grill
🗓️ Friday, May 16, 2025 | 🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Pines Bar and Grill, Castle Rock, CO

Catch Kenny Perkins live every Friday at 6 PM!

Tequila Tasting at the Castle
🗓️ Friday, May 16, 2025 | 🕕 6:00 PM – 9:15 PM
📍 Cherokee Ranch & Castle, Sedalia, CO
💲 $84.95 (including fees)

Explore fine-aged tequilas at Cherokee Ranch & Castle, focusing on Jalisco’s premium Reposado, Anejo, and Extra Anejo. Enjoy 5 tastings, heavy appetizers, and a unique presentation by Scott Beach.

Live Music: Josh Blackburn
🗓️ Friday, May 16, 2025 | 🕕 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Honnibrook Meadery, Castle Rock, CO

Enjoy live music by Josh Blackburn!

Dueling Pianos at Wide Open Saloon
🗓️ Friday, May 16, 2025 | 🕖 7:00–10:30 PM
📍 Wide Open Saloon, Parker, CO

Enjoy Colorado’s top dueling pianos and solo piano performances! Get your tickets here.

Parker Symphony Orchestra Presents "New World"
🗓️ Friday, May 16, 2025 | 🕢 7:30 PM
📍 PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave, Parker, CO 80138
💲 Cost: $29

Join the Parker Symphony Orchestra for a performance of Antonin Dvorak's Symphony No. 9, the iconic New World Symphony, to close out their season. Tickets here.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALTAR: Wendy Woo
🗓️ Friday, May 16, 2025 | 🕗 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
📍 Sinners & Saints, Castle Rock

Join us at The Altar for a soulful performance by Wendy Woo. Enjoy live music in an intimate, unique venue every Friday night at 8 PM.

Weather

Weekend Lineup

🎶 Live music

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Take a Prehistoric Journey with Your Family in 2025

What part of Douglas County do you live in?

Weekend Lineup

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