Good morning, Highlands Ranch,
Today’s Backcountry-adjacent rabbit hole: elk can grow antlers up to an inch a day. A mature bull’s set can weigh up to 40 pounds, and then they shed the whole thing and start over.
An entire bone chandelier. Every year.
Our weekend plans require slightly less commitment. We’ve got:
Nine weekend outings + trunk-or-treats
The season’s final farmers’ market
Parkway progress + new park AEDs
Let’s get into it.
—Grace Hody
Editor, The Ranch Scoop
Weekend Outing Ideas
Ghostbusters in the Beer Garden — Breckenridge Brewery, Littleton
📅 Friday, Oct. 30 | Movie starts at 6 p.m.
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The brewery’s outdoor movie season wraps with Ghostbusters, plus food and beer specials. Free entry, family-friendly, and a solid excuse to bring another layer and settle in.
Monster Mash — Little Man Ice Cream, Littleton
📅 Friday, Oct. 30 | 7–9 p.m.
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Costumes, music, trick-or-treats, and Monster Sundaes take over Little Man’s annual costume party. Free to attend; ice cream feels like a reasonable addition to the Halloween candy situation.
Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns — Hudson Gardens, Littleton
📅 Oct. 30: 6:30–10:30 p.m. | Oct. 31: 6–10:30 p.m.
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Thousands of glowing jack-o’-lanterns turn the gardens into an after-dark fall walk. A good pick for anyone who prefers their Halloween with impressive pumpkins and fewer jump scares. Tickets required.
Backcountry Wilderness Half Marathon — Highlands Ranch
📅 Saturday, Oct. 31 | 9 a.m.
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Earn your Halloween candy with 13.1 miles of singletrack, hills, and scenic Backcountry trails. The 18th annual race includes a finisher medal, technical shirt, pancake breakfast, and post-race beers from Living the Dream Brewing.
Last Stop — Highlands Ranch Mansion
📅 Saturday, Oct. 31 | 6:30–9 p.m.
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Make the Mansion your final Halloween stop for front-door trick-or-treating, a DJ, and drinks available for purchase. Free and outdoors only; parking is limited, so carpool or walk if you can.
Final Corn Maze Weekend — Chatfield Farms, Littleton
📅 Friday–Sunday, Oct. 30–Nov. 1 | Entry times 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
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Last call to get pleasantly lost in the eight-acre maze, designed around Colorado’s 150th anniversary. There’s also a mini maze for younger kids. Adults $22, ages 3–15 $14; advance tickets recommended.
🎈 Halloween Creature-fest — Carson Nature Center, Littleton
📅 Saturday, Oct. 31 | Daytime
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A gentler Halloween outing with hands-on activities and a chance to learn about the creatures living along the South Platte. Free, non-scary, and open to all ages; costumes encouraged. Register through South Suburban.
Frankenstein with a Live Orchestra — Lone Tree Arts Center
📅 Saturday, Oct. 31 | 7:30 p.m.
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The 1931 horror classic hits the big screen with a haunting score performed live by the Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra. Come dressed for the 7 p.m. costume contest, or arrive at 6:40 for a free pre-show chat. Limited ticket availability.
Last Farmers’ Market of the Season — Highlands Ranch Town Center
📅 Sunday, Nov. 1 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
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One more Sunday to browse seasonal produce and locally made goods before the market closes for the year. Find it at 9288 Dorchester Street, with free parking in the Town Center garage.
Trunk-or-Treats
🎃 Trunk or Treat — Sterling Ranch | Fri., Oct. 30 | 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
🚧 Parkway Work Is Nearing the Finish Line
Douglas County crews are completing final striping and traffic shifts on Highlands Ranch Parkway between Broadway and Burntwood. Some intermittent lane closures will continue for finishing work, so keep a little buffer in your drive. ➜ Project updates
❤️ Four New AEDs at Highland Heritage
Highland Heritage Regional Park now has four outdoor AEDs available 24/7, donated by the Ed Walsh Memorial Foundation. A small addition worth noticing next time you’re at the fields, playground, or amphitheater. ➜ Read more
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🏔️ Advertise With Us
📬 Before You Go
One last October weekend. Take a pumpkin-lit walk, grab something good at the farmers’ market, or wave to the neighbors along the candy route.
Thanks for spending part of your Thursday with me. Happy Halloween, Highlands Ranch!
See you next Thursday,
—Grace