Hi Highlands Ranch,
This week is loaded—in the best way.
Mini horses in the Ranch. Golden eagles overhead. A free farm day that’ll go fast. A few things worth knowing:
🌳 Park Challenge is rolling & competitive
🪑 4 Perimeter porches just outside the Ranch
🐴 A local horse rescue story we’re digging into this week
We’re on week 5 of the Park Challenge—21 to go. And yes, there’s a giveaway—or getaway—at the end. This launched Tuesday.
Let’s do this thing.
Ranch Scoop Living
🌿Weekend Outing Ideas
Live Music Night – Southridge Rec Center
🗓️ Friday, April 17 (6:30-8pm)
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A low-key night out in the Ranch—live music, cash bar, and a smaller, up-close setting. Bublé-style mix of jazz, pop, and throwbacks with the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra. Easy, different, and worth considering.
Golden Eagle Viewing – Rocky Mountain Trailhead
🗓️ Saturday, April 18 (2-3:30pm)
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A guided viewing series out at the Backcountry Wilderness Area follows a mated pair that’s called this area home for years. This week’s session may have two spots left or may be full (double check). More sessions are coming — worth planning ahead.
Mini Horses IN the Ranch – Living the Dream Brewery
🗓️ Sunday, April 19 (1-4pm)
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Mini horses are coming to the Ranch. A local rescue is bringing a few of them out for the afternoon at Living the Dream—an easy way to show up, learn more about what they do, and say hi to some sweet mini horses in the Ranch.
Mother’s Day Photo Op + Local Meetups – Centennial / Highlands Ranch
🗓️ Sunday, April 19th (12-4pm)
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A more elevated Mother’s Day photo setup just outside the Ranch—15-minute studio sessions in Centennial ($375) with a floral backdrop, champagne + sweet treats, and a gallery of professionally edited images.
They also host local meetups in the Ranch (next one: a coffee meetup on the 29th), so this is a group you can grow with & find support and connection with as a mother.
Evening with the Authors – Highlands Ranch Library
🗓️ Friday, April 17th (6:30-8pm)
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Because the Highlands Ranch Library continuously pulls together good events — we have to remind you about them. Two bestselling Colorado authors, Sandra Dallas + Mark Stevens, in conversation about their latest books (plus a signing after).
🌳Park of the Week
Fly’n B Park (5/26)
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Tucked into Highlands Ranch, this park is a great go-to for a relaxed outdoor afternoon. The park features a fishing pond and pier, walking trails, and plenty of picnic space with tables and BBQ grills—perfect for an easy family outing or low-key weekend hang.
🌲 26 Park Challenge: Visit all 26 with us over the next 26 weeks—join anytime. You don’t even have to go in any particular order. It’s not that strict.
☁️🤔Park Giveaway: Guess the park correctly on Instagram, Facebook or email. Increase your chances of winning a Colorado getaway.
🍽️Restaurant of the Week
Local Pick – Nono’s Cafe
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Louisiana-style crawfish boils every Saturday (3–5pm). Messy, fun, and something different from the usual dinner rotation.
📰Early Next Week
Local Pottery Sale – Southridge Rec Center
🗓️ Monday, April 20 (8am-6pm)
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A simple local stop—handmade pottery from Highlands Ranch artists, with a range of pieces if you’re looking for something one-of-a-kind. Easy to swing by if you’re around during the day
Free Day – Chatfield Farms
🗓️ Wednesday, April 22
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Free Day at Chatfield Farms (Wed the 22nd). Free admission thanks to SCFD — but you do need to grab tickets in advance, and this will fill up. A great one for kids or just an easy midweek reset just west of the Ranch.
📬 Before You Go
Thank you for being part of this growing community! Final reminders:
🔥 Stage 1 fire restrictions + 💧Stage 1 drought restrictions
🗳️ Last day for this HRCA’s voting cycle if applicable
If you’re enjoying this, share it with a friend or neighbor—it helps more than you know. If I missed something or you have a suggestion, just reply—I’d love to hear from you.
For now, that’s the Scoop, y’all. Have a great weekend!
— Grace
Editor, The Ranch Scoop