Douglas County

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Colorado's unexpectedly interesting House race

A moderate Democrat is pressuring Boebert this election season

Election

Lauren Boebert&#x27;s challenger in Colorado&#x27;s 4th Congressional District race is testing whether four M&#x27;s — money, momentum and moderate messaging — can crack one of the state&#x27;s last Republican strongholds.Why it matters: CD-4&#x27;s a test of whether a Democrat running to the middle can peel away enough Republican and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unaffiliated voters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/17/colorado-registered-voter-unaffiliated-democrat-republican" data-vars-content-id="44c2f48e-6589-441a-afee-fbf1cf7d136c" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s unexpectedly interesting House race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/17/colorado-registered-voter-unaffiliated-democrat-republican" target="_self">unaffiliated voters</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="compete in Trump country" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/09/18/democrats-are-feeling-increasingly-bullish-about-controlling-congress/" data-vars-content-id="44c2f48e-6589-441a-afee-fbf1cf7d136c" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s unexpectedly interesting House race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/09/18/democrats-are-feeling-increasingly-bullish-about-controlling-congress/" target="_blank">compete in Trump country</a>.

"I did what anyone else would do"

A stranger on a dark sidewalk needed help. Brent Buford didn't hesitate.

Culture

Outside a room packed with nearly 100 people there to celebrate him, Brent Buford wanted no part of the fuss.What he&#x27;s saying: &quot;I did what anyone else would do,&quot; the 68-year-old grandfather said.

Parker is giving its history a second look

A revamped Heritage Center will tell Parker's fuller story.

Parker&#x27;s starting over on how it tells its story.Zoom in: The town spent the past 45 years growing into a destination — a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="72,000-resident" data-vars-click-url="https://www.parkerco.gov/159/About-Parker" data-vars-content-id="2ed51988-ce44-4ad0-8095-7a8de0471090" data-vars-headline="Parker is giving its history a second look" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.parkerco.gov/159/About-Parker" target="_blank">72,000-resident</a> suburb with schools, sprawling trails, ever-developing neighborhoods and a new, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$400+ million Mainstreet transformation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/04/27/parker-downtown-transformation-mainstreet-investment" data-vars-content-id="2ed51988-ce44-4ad0-8095-7a8de0471090" data-vars-headline="Parker is giving its history a second look" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/04/27/parker-downtown-transformation-mainstreet-investment" target="_self">$400+ million Mainstreet transformation</a>.

Douglas County's disappearing dirt roads

Roads are being paved as growth reshapes Douglas County

Dusty gravel roads are slowly giving way to asphalt in Douglas County.Why it matters: Every new paved road makes the community safer and is less expensive to maintain and more useful in emergencies.

Local bookstores see boom as tech antidote

People are seeking connection, and local bookstores are filling the gap.

Business

Bookstores are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="finding new life" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/03/bookstores-barnes-noble-james-daunt" data-vars-content-id="e58c8441-0c14-43dc-8e33-464b998ba829" data-vars-headline="Local bookstores see boom as tech antidote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/03/bookstores-barnes-noble-james-daunt" target="_self">finding new life</a> as Americans lose many of their casual gathering places.The big picture: The comeback isn&#x27;t just about selling books. It&#x27;s about turning browsing into belonging in an increasingly digital world.

The Highlands Ranch pickleball boom

A new 19-court complex is fueling demand in Highlands Ranch.

Highlands Ranch is bucking <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="America&#x27;s pickleball slowdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/26/pickleball-courts-building-decline" data-vars-content-id="9eda9bc5-3d86-4aab-83db-e71d54f35557" data-vars-headline="The Highlands Ranch pickleball boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/26/pickleball-courts-building-decline" target="_self">America&#x27;s pickleball slowdown</a>.Reality check: Across many of the nation&#x27;s biggest cities, the sport&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pandemic-era boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/04/walmart-free-pickleball-game-subway-sub" data-vars-content-id="9eda9bc5-3d86-4aab-83db-e71d54f35557" data-vars-headline="The Highlands Ranch pickleball boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/04/walmart-free-pickleball-game-subway-sub" target="_self">pandemic-era boom</a> has cooled.

Douglas County's dwindling dog park drama

DougCo data show just three reported incidents this year.

Dog parks in unincorporated Douglas County have been unusually quiet this year.Why it matters: Contrary to some assumptions, summertime isn&#x27;t prime time for dog park problem around here — which is why our review of incidents is so encouraging.

Lone Tree rises after decades of planning

New parks, housing and retail are pushing RidgeGate into its next era.

After 25 years of planning, Lone Tree is seeing major development across <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="RidgeGate" data-vars-click-url="https://ridgegate.com/" data-vars-content-id="0a102223-4def-402c-934b-02b32d2b833b" data-vars-headline="Lone Tree rises after decades of planning" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ridgegate.com/" target="_blank">RidgeGate</a> — the massive mixed-use district that city leaders hope will become the south metro&#x27;s next urban center. Why it matters: Hundreds of acres surrounding RidgeGate&#x27;s light rail stations are now primed for offices, housing, hotels and entertainment projects — giving Lone Tree one of the region&#x27;s largest remaining transit-oriented development corridors.

How to be a better neighbor, according to a pro

The woman who makes my block feel connected.

Everyone should have a neighbor like Amy McDermott.Why she matters: New to the block? Amy&#x27;s gonna make you feel welcomed.

The scoop: Bag vs. bag

Which Douglas County poop bag dog-walks the competition?

I&#x27;m a poo-bag connoisseur — thanks to my two goldens, Dolly and Macy.Context: They poop.

Coffee, served with a second chance

A popular Parker coffee shop's owner shares his journey from incarceration to community impact.

Parker&#x27;s most colorful coffee shop owner lives out of a used Ram ProMaster van with a license plate that reads &quot;CON.&quot;Why it matters: Dan Klehm&#x27;s Convict Coffee Co. is a second act rooted in redemption for people affected by incarceration.

Culture

"I did what anyone else would do"

Parker is giving its history a second look

Hipcamp names Colorado's best campsites

A quick guide to the Colorado State Fair

Coloradans reveal the state's most annoying stereotypes