10 Things To Do In & Around The Ranch

Good morning, Highlands Ranch.

Has anyone else noticed the incredible Texas Longhorns grazing near the Mansion?

They’re especially fitting this weekend as a herd of Longhorns will take over Downtown Castle Rock for a cattle drive.

And for the true horse-and-cattle enthusiasts, I’m sharing one of my favorite Colorado day trips at the end—where you can saddle up for a cattle drive yourself.

Be sure to double check the event websites this weekend as it looks like rain could be on the horizon.

In this week’s Scoop:

• A cattle drive kicks off the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo
• Downtown Littleton lights up for a statewide celebration
• A local lifestyle creator hosts Mahjong & Mixology in the Ranch

Let's get into it.

—Grace

Cattle Drive — Downtown Castle Rock
🗓️ Friday, July 24 (6–8 p.m.)
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Head a bit south of the Ranch to watch cowhands drive Texas Longhorns through Downtown Castle Rock. Indigenous dancers lead the procession, with food trucks, performances, and activities afterward at Festival Park.

Illuminate Littleton — Downtown Littleton
🗓️ Friday, July 24 (6–10 p.m.)
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Downtown Littleton lights up with interactive art, roaming musicians, outdoor dining, and kids’ activities before a drone show around 9 p.m. It’s one of several statewide celebrations honoring America’s 250th and Colorado’s 150th anniversaries.

Free Comedy Show — Highlands Ranch
🗓️ Saturday, July 25 (7:30–9:30 p.m.)
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Catch a free night of comedy at Max Taps with Lucky Dog food truck serving dinner. Check the Max Taps socials & website for additional details and updates.

Free Days This Weekend — Denver
🗓️Friday, July 24 (10 a.m.–4 p.m.) — Four Mile Historic Park
🗓️Sunday, July 26 (10 a.m.–5 p.m.) — Clyfford Still Museum

Summer Concert Series (Chili Powder) — Thursday, July 23
Free Yoga in the Park — Saturday, July 25
Backcountry Outdoor Movie Series (Zootopia 2) — Saturday, July 25
Highlands Ranch Farmers Market — Sunday, July 26

Mahjong & Mixology — Highlands Ranch
🗓️ Monday, July 27 (4–7 p.m.)
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Hosted by Highlands Ranch resident and lifestyle creator Gina Wynn, this evening pairs a hands-on cocktail-making class with mahjong and friendly competition. Tickets are required.

Brain Health Fitness — Highlands Ranch Library
🗓️ Wednesday, July 29 (1:30–2:30 p.m.)
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Move to music through seated exercises designed to support memory, creativity, and cognitive skills. This fun wellness class is free and open to drop-ins—just wear comfortable clothing and bring water.

Mountain Bike Series — Badlands Circuit (Red Tail Park)
🗓️ Wednesday, July 29 (5–8 p.m.)
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Take on two loops through the Backcountry Wilderness Area for an 11-mile race featuring 764 feet of climbing. The weeknight series welcomes mountain bikers of all abilities.

Refer 3 nearby friends or family using your personal referral link (found below), and we’ll celebrate your birthday in that week’s Scoop newsletter.

Once you hit 3 referrals, we’ll send over a quick form to collect your birthday. (Don’t worry — no birth year required.)

📬 Before You Go

Still looking for something to do? If you haven’t visited Pollywog Station Lavender Farm in Parker, lavender is in full bloom. Also, the Arapahoe County Fair kicks off today.

As promised, one of my favorite ranches is located a couple hours away. It’s called Rusty Spurr Ranch, and you can join a cattle drive yourself. If you’re newer to the saddle, they offer traditional trail rides too.

See you next Thursday.

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💧 Restrictions: Stage 1
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