Douglas County

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Axios Douglas County Partners

DougCo residents mobilize with planning vote in limbo

A massive development proposal awaits its next hearing.

Business

A Douglas County real estate agent is building a community coalition to fight a controversial development near his town whenever the project resurfaces.Why it matters: Crowsnest has already run into opposition in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Parker" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/controversial-crowsnest-annexation-colorado-castle-pines/" data-vars-content-id="abf5b3e9-7856-40d6-9ed7-6b2d3d316bb0" data-vars-headline="DougCo residents mobilize with planning vote in limbo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/controversial-crowsnest-annexation-colorado-castle-pines/" target="_blank">Parker</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Castle Pines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/crowsnest-annexation-petition-colorado-castle-pines-withdrawn/" data-vars-content-id="abf5b3e9-7856-40d6-9ed7-6b2d3d316bb0" data-vars-headline="DougCo residents mobilize with planning vote in limbo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/crowsnest-annexation-petition-colorado-castle-pines-withdrawn/" target="_blank">Castle Pines</a> and nearby residents — including Joey Lugo — are ready for battle.

DCSD kindergarten vaccine rate beats state numbers

DCSD kindergarten coverage higher as vax rates decline statewide.

Health

Douglas County School District kindergartners had a higher vaccination rate last school year than their peers statewide.Why it matters: Higher coverage helps prevent outbreaks, but Douglas County&#x27;s measles vaccination rate still fell short of the 95% threshold commonly associated with herd immunity.

Douglas County's disappearing dirt roads

Roads are being paved as growth reshapes Douglas County

Culture

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.

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.

Axios Arapahoe County

Hipcamp names Colorado's best campsites

Denver

Axios Denver

A quick guide to the Colorado State Fair 

Axios Chicago

Coloradans reveal the state's most annoying stereotypes

Colorado Springs

Olivia Rodrigo just changed this Colorado business overnight

Coloradans love Colorado and its way of life

A bar chart that shows which aspects of Colorado life voters rate as very important in a June 26-July 1 poll of 655 registered voters. Protecting lands, water and wildlife leads at 86%, followed by freedom and personal choice at 79%. Rooting for pro sports teams ranks last at 24%.

What attributes of Colorado's way of life are "very important"

Data: Colorado Polling Institute; Note: Margin of error is +/- 3.83 percentage points; Chart: John Frank/Axios