Castle Rock

Castle Rock

 

 

The most populous town in Colorado and home to some 65,000 residents, Castle Rock is located midway between Denver and Colorado Springs. It is considered part of the Denver–Aurora–Lakewood, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Front Range Urban Corridor.

 

Here, you’ll find a mixture of suburban, large acreage properties and a historic downtown that is currently undergoing a modern transformation. There is a bevy of shops and restaurants located within—Walmart, Home Depot, and a major outlet mall dominate one side of town while many small, locally owned businesses make up the uniquely charming part of historic downtown. 

 

There are various events offered throughout the year, including a cattle drive that kick-starts the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo in August. Starlighting, a local tradition since 1936, takes place the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

 

An award-winning parks and recreation system features 50 different parks and 87 miles of trails. More than 6,000 acres of open space have also been preserved, most notably Rock Park, which offers 360-degree views of the Town.

 

 

• Features lots of considerable acreages and a historic downtown
• A variety of events are offered here each year
• 50 different parks and 87 miles of trails
  
  

 

Eighty percent of Castle Rock residents commute out of town to work, but the average commute is only about 29 minutes. A good portion of the population drives nearly 20 miles to northern Colorado Springs or the Denver Technological Center and Downtown Denver, roughly 30 miles north. Denver International Airport is located about 45 miles north of Castle Rock.

 

 

Breweries are big in Colorado, and you’ll find several in Castle Rock, including the Great Divide Brewing Co and Wild Blue Yonder Brewing, a chic, contemporary pub offering its own tap brews, pub fare, and an 1887 carriage house annex.

 

Residents here have a lot of restaurants to choose from. Local favorites include La Loma, which has been dishing out Tex-Mex and Mexican favorites for over 40 years, and Siena at the Courtyard, a fun, casual Italian-American gathering place. Scileppi’s is a modern Italian restaurant located inside of a former Catholic Church with a focus on family recipes and premium ingredients. For authentic Cuban cuisine and craft cocktails, head to Cuba Cuba, or stop by 212 Pizza for an artisan pizza and craft brew.

 

Other Castle Rock staples include Castle Cafe, an unfussy pub built in a former 1890s hotel, and B&B Cafe, a breakfast and lunch fixture for the past 55 years, dishing up hearty servings of American eats in a laid-back space.

 

Douglas County’s first collective of premier artisanal foods, craft cocktails, amusements, and unique entertainment exists at Ecclesia Market, and two great antique shops—The Barn and The Emporium—are bustling each weekend.

 

 

The Douglas County Fair & Rodeo, a local tradition for decades, is hosted the first week in August, and at Rock Park you can hike the landform known as Castle Rock. 

 

MAC Park and Recreation Center is also a big draw for locals. Here you can access fields, playgrounds, water features, and fire pits and attend concerts at the amphitheater. An indoor portion of the area offers a pool, fitness amenities, batting cages, and a trampoline park.

 

There are 5K events hosted regularly for charity, and in the winter, locals have access to an ice-skating rink as well.

 

 

Castle Rock is home to many excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include: