Good morning, Highlands Ranch,
We made it to Thursday!
Wednesday was a long one. I stopped at the grocery store and ended up shooting the breeze with two guys at checkout. Nothing remarkable, just a small interaction that reminded me there's something so human about human connection.
Onto this week's Scoop:
9 weekend outings, including an actual cattle drive
An update on that $22 million+ road project
A peek at the Ranch's 2027 budget
Let's get into it.
—Grace Hody
Editor, The Ranch Scoop
Saddle up, Highlands Ranch
Weekend Outing Ideas
🎈 Haunted Hayrides — Highlands Ranch
🗓️ Friday, Oct. 23 (6–8:30 p.m.)
➜ View details
All aboard for a spooky ride! Hop on a 30-minute Halloween hayride through the Ranch, with just enough seasonal scares for the whole family. Ages 2+.
Castle Pines Fall Festival — Castle Pines
🗓️ Friday, Oct. 23 (6–9 p.m.) & Saturday, Oct. 24 (10 a.m.–2 p.m.)
➜ Event details
Two days of fall fun! Friday brings a community bonfire, BBQ and live music (advance tickets required). Saturday features trick-or-treating, hayrides, a petting zoo, chili cook-off and the Great Pumpkin Race at 1 p.m.
Sterling Ranch Cattle Drive — Sterling Ranch
🗓️ Saturday, Oct. 24 (10 a.m.–2 p.m.)
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Cowboys, cowgirls and a herd of cattle right through the neighborhood! Watch the cattle drive around 11 a.m., then stick around for live music, food trucks and family activities at the Overlook Clubhouse. Arrive early; clubhouse parking is closed.
🎈 Haunted Forest Fall Fest — Highlands Ranch
🗓️ Saturday, Oct. 24 (1–4 p.m.)
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A little spooky, but not too scary! Head to the Backcountry Wilderness Area for a decorated forest walk, bounce house, crafts and fall treats. Perfect for younger kids. Tickets: $10 per child, $5 per adult.
Oaked and Smoked — Highlands Ranch
🗓️ Saturday, Oct. 24 (3–6 p.m.)
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Whiskey and BBQ? Sounds like a fall afternoon! Head to Eastridge for unlimited whiskey tastings and BBQ samples, hosted by HRCA and Davidson's. Tickets $45; designated drivers $15. Ages 21+ only.
Haunted Forest Fright Lite — Highlands Ranch
🗓️ Saturday, Oct. 24 (5–7 p.m.)
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All the Halloween atmosphere, minus the jump scares! Explore the Backcountry's decorated forest trail with spooky lights, music and themed scenes, but no active scare actors. Tickets $10.
🎈Grace Presbyterian Trunk-or-Treat — Littleton
🗓️ Saturday, Oct. 24 (3–5 p.m.)
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Costumes, candy and Halloween fun! Bring the kids for an afternoon of decorated trunks, trick-or-treating and family-friendly festivities.
Fall Craft Fair — Highlands Ranch
🗓️ Saturday, Oct. 24 (10 a.m.–3 p.m.)
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Get a head start on holiday shopping at the Highlands Ranch Senior Center! Browse handcrafted gifts and fall finds from more than 60 local artisans, including jewelry, home decor, baked goods and more. Free admission.
Lone Creek Farms — Franktown
🗓️ September 25–November 1 | Thursday–Sunday
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Make a full fall day of it at this family-run Franktown farm, where admission unlocks more than 20 attractions—including a corn maze, pumpkin patch, pig races, candy cannons and the crowd-favorite firetruck pumpkin drop.
Upcoming Trunk-or-Treats
🎃Highlands Ranch Ward — Highlands Ranch | Wed., Oct. 28 | Details
🎃Foothills Bible Church — Littleton | Sat., Oct. 31 | Details
🎃St. Luke's Fall Festival — Highlands Ranch | Sat, Oct. 31 | Details
Ranch Brief: Around the Ranch
💰 A Peek at the Ranch's 2027 Budget
Wondering where the Ranch's dollars are headed? The Metro District's proposed 2027 budget is now available for a little financial snooping. A public hearing is set for Nov. 24, before final approval in December. ➜ Take a peek at the budget
🚧 Remember That $22 Million+ Road Project?
Douglas County has launched a dedicated project page for the proposed US 85/Titan Road interchange improvements. Still in the design phase, but now there's a place to follow along. ➜ Our original Scoop story | County project updates
❄️ Ready or Not, Snow Season Is Coming
Douglas County says Oct. 18–24 marks the first average snowfall window for our area, and road crews are gearing up for winter. Meanwhile, some of us are still mentally in September. ➜ Get ready for it
SCOOP Hub
📬 Before You Go
Whether you're heading out to see the cattle drive, getting into the Halloween spirit, or just making a grocery store run, I hope your weekend includes a little meaningful human connection.
Have a wonderful weekend!
See you next Thursday,
—Grace
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