Good morning, Highlands Ranch.
There were a lot of orchards and berry-picking farms around where I grew up. While looking for places to pick fruit in Colorado, I discovered one of the early owners of the Mansion had an orchard.
Does anyone know anything about it? I’d love to know what was grown there and whether any traces of it remain today.
It also made me wonder what a modern version of that orchard might look like.
Onto this week’s Scoop:
A car show (+ new guide) + this week’s list of live music + stuff to do
$6.6 Million Makeover where I meant to hit publish to site not publish & send—you may have seen it already
Park challenge—officially half way there
Let’s get into it
—Grace Hody
Colorful Colorado
Weekend Outing Ideas
Live Music at VetStock 2026 — Highlands Ranch
🗓️ Friday, June 12 – Sunday, June 14
➜ View details
Three days of live music, food trucks, and community as Max Taps hosts VetStock 2026. The free event raises funds and awareness for veterans and their families.
Art in Open Air & Reception — Littleton
🗓️ Friday, June 12 (5 – 7 p.m.)
➜ View details
Kick off weekend with a little art, live painting, drinks, and an open-air patio reception at ROX Arts Gallery. Enjoy a creative evening out that’s both relaxing and low key.
Highlands Ranch Car Show — Highlands Ranch
🗓️ Saturday, June 13 (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
➜ View details
Grab some coffee and head over for an easy morning or afternoon stroll and see some cool cars. Vintage classics and muscle cars to modern performance vehicles—expect a mix.
Downtown Block Party — Littleton
🗓️ Saturday, June 13 (5 – 10 p.m.)
➜ View details
Downtown Littleton's biggest summer party returns with live music, street performers, food, and a fireworks finale at 9 p.m. Expect multiple stages, a lively Main Street atmosphere, and plenty to explore.
🎈 KidFest — Highlands Ranch
🗓️ Saturday, June 13 (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
➜ View details
One of Highlands Ranch's family friendly events returns to Civic Green Park. Expect fire trucks, sheriff's vehicles, games, activities, entertainment, food trucks, and local organizations from around the community.
🎈Outdoor Movie Series Kick Off — Backcountry
🗓️ Saturday, June 13 (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
➜View details
This week's feature is The Goonies. Bring a blanket, camp chairs, and settle in for a movie under the stars on a massive 33-foot screen.
Live Music Lowdown
In The Ranch
🗓️ Thursday, June 11
➜Highland Heritage Regional Park — Tumbledown Shack
🗓️ Friday, June 12
➜Prost — Lookin Back
➜Max Taps — Vet Stock! Concerts All Weekend
🗓️ Saturday, June 13
➜Prost — Radio Revolution Colorado
➜Max Taps — Vet Stock! Concerts All Weekend
🗓️ Sunday, June 14
➜Max Taps — Vet Stock! Concerts All Weekend
Just Outside The Ranch
The Violet Pines (Thursday, June 11) — Parker
Vinyl Nation (Saturday, June 13) — Centennial
Jazz in The Park (Wednesday June 17) — Castle Rock
MicroGrass Band (Wednesday June 17) — Littleton
Park of the Week
Pause: We’re at park 13—half way through the 26 Park Challenge. Still time to jump in if you haven’t already.
Central Park 13/26
➜ View details
Home to the outdoor fitness area, Central Park also features interactive chimes, a maze garden, cornhole boards, table tennis, and slackline poles.
🌲26 Park Challenge: Visit all 26 parks with us over 26 weeks—join anytime. No particular order needed.
☁️🤔Park Giveaway: Guess the park correctly on Instagram, Facebook, or email for a chance to win a Colorado getaway.
Early Next Week
The Greatest Trial in America — Southridge Recreation Center
🗓️ Monday, June 15 (7 – 8:30 p.m.)
➜ View Details
The Highlands Ranch Historical Society will explore this famous trial and how it helped shape conversations around free speech, education, and religion in America.
🌟Monarch Casino Trip — Black Hawk (Because 55+ Is Prime Time)
🗓️ Tuesday, June 16
➜Read full June newsletter
Spend the day in Black Hawk. This organized trip includes round-trip transportation to Monarch Casino Resort & Spa—giving you time to enjoy the casino and get out of the Ranch for the day.
South Metro Water Festival — Civic Green Park
🗓️ Wednesday, June 17 (3 – 6 p.m.)
➜ View Details
Games, hands-on activities, food trucks, and water-themed demonstrations make this a fun and educational afternoon.
Historic Park Planning Meeting — Highlands Ranch
🗓️Wednesday, June 17 (5:30 p.m.)
➜View Details
The future of Historic Park is starting to take shape and residents are invited to help guide the vision. This is the first of a few community input meetings happening this summer.
Ranch Brief — Civics & Such
If you’re new here, The Ranch Scoop isn’t a political publication. We do like to keep you up-to-date with local info through updates related to civics and such.
🚗 Worth Noting: Douglas County's Link On Demand provides free rides throughout Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Stonegate, and parts of Parker. Check if an address is in the service area before requesting.
Ranch Conditions
🔥 No current restrictions
💧 Restrictions: Stage 1
Scoop Referrals — Birthday Shoutouts
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
As we wrap up, Farmers Markets are happening every weekend in and around the Ranch.
Here are two new guides:
While we're at it with guides—do you have a favorite berry farm, orchard, or U-pick destination around Denver or in Colorado? Hit reply and let me know.
And as always, thanks for being part of the Scoop. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
—Grace