🏔️Highlands Ranch, Get Weird This Weekend

Good morning, Highlands Ranch.

Labor Day weekend is upon us. Typically, I’ve thought of Labor Day as the week I only labor four days, but there’s real history behind it.

The first Labor Day was celebrated 144 years ago, on September 5, 1882. Workers wanted a day to highlight their contributions to this country. And by 1894, 23 states had adopted it as a holiday. That same year, President Grover Cleveland sealed the deal, signing the law that made it official.

On another note, I found a few fun ways to use that extra day off this weekend if you’re staying somewhat local. A couple of the outings are a little further outside the Ranch, but we’re getting a little weird this Labor Day.

In this week's Scoop:

Let’s get into it.

—Grace Hody

🗓️ Sept. 5–7 | About an hour or so south of the Ranch
➜ View the full weekend schedule
Colorado Springs is celebrating 50 years of Labor Day Lift Off along with 150 years of Colorado with Stories in the Sky.

From morning hot air balloon launches, evening balloon glows, live music, kids activities to so much more, this is a packed, weekend-long event, so check the schedule thoroughly and plan ahead. Consider going for a day or make a full weekend out of it.

Rocky Mountain Koi Show — Castle Rock
🗓️ Friday–Sunday, Sept. 4–6
➜ Event details
A little weird? Yes. But that's why it made the list. 😂 See 35 tanks filled with show-quality koi at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, plus aquatic life, corals, vendors, educational demos and more.

Walk the Chalk — Downtown Littleton
🗓️ Saturday, Sept. 5 (Starting at 8 a.m.)
➜ Event details
Main Street becomes a giant canvas with chalk art, live music, and family activities. Create your own piece or just stroll through and check out the art. All ages welcome and registration is required.

Oktoberfest — Parker
🗓️ Saturday, Sept. 5 (12–8 p.m.)
➜ Event details
Lone Tree Brewing Co. is kicking off Oktoberfest with seasonal beer, German food, polka and a stein-hoisting competition. And from 1–4 PM: mini Highland cows + donkeys. Free to attend with food and drinks available for purchase.

Playful Pumpkin Painting — Lone Tree
🗓️ Saturday, Sept. 5 (Starting at 11 a.m.)
➜ Event details
Kick off September with a little fall crafting at Lone Tree Brewing Co. Paint a mixed-media pumpkin on a 16-inch round canvas using paint, scrapbook paper and fabric, with step-by-step instruction included. No experience needed @ $58 per painter.

A Paris Street Market — Littleton
🗓️ Saturday, Sept. 5 (8 a.m–2 p.m.)
➜ Event details
Browse 100+ vendors at Aspen Grove for vintage finds, fall décor, and unique goods, plus food, drinks and adoptable pups from MAXFund. Free to stroll.

Long weekend, longer radius. We widened the Scoop circle for a few fun finds that might be worth exploring.

🦙 Meet the Alpacas — Near Red Rocks
🗓️ Labor Day Weekend | Reservations required |🚗45–60 min
➜ Book an experience
Meet, feed, and hang out with alpacas against a mountain backdrop during this 90-minute guided ranch experience. No hiking required, plenty of photo ops, and designed for all ages.

🐮 Cuddle a Cow — Erie
🗓️ Labor Day Weekend | Reservations required |🚗55–70 min
➜ Book an experience
Yes, cow cuddling is a thing. Spend an hour meeting, brushing, scratching, and cuddling rescued cows at Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary. Minimal walking, maximum cowing.

🌸 Gather Mountain Blooms U-Pick — Colorado Springs
🗓️ Saturday, Sept. 5 | Labor Day Sale | 8 a.m–12 p.m. |🚗60–70 min
➜ Event details
I went here last weekend and loved it. Pick your own flowers, let the kids or grandkids play, grab a mimosa, and bring your camera. Saturday, admission is half price as its getting later in the season, and $25 gets you 30–35+ stems.

🌸 Native Hill Farm U-Pick — Fort Collins
🗓️ Labor Day Weekend | 10 a.m–6p.m. |🚗80–100 min
➜ Details
Heading north? Stop at the farm stand, grab a cup and snips, then build your own bouquet straight from the field. $25 per cup.

Backcountry Outdoor Movies (The Sandlot) — Saturday, September 5
Highlands Ranch Farmers Market — Sunday, September 6

📬 Before You Go

With extra time to not labor, we found some fun ways to mix it up this weekend. Cuddle a cow, pick some flowers, watch balloons fill the sky, or go stare at 35 tanks of koi.

I hope you enjoy the long weekend, share the Scoop with someone, and do something out of the ordinary.

—Grace

🔥 Restrictions
💧 Restrictions
🌳🏛️ Highlands Ranch Metro District
🚗 Douglas County: Link On Demand