Douglas County

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Laubacher heads to Congress with race uncalled

The Democrat attended orientation while holding a narrow lead over Lauren Boebert.

Election

Eileen Laubacher is already getting situated in Washington, even though <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="her race against U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/10/15/boebert-laubacher-4th-district-voting-guide" data-vars-content-id="71596387-434d-43bf-93e9-7c39cea7669a" data-vars-headline="Laubacher heads to Congress with race uncalled" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/10/15/boebert-laubacher-4th-district-voting-guide" target="_self">her race against U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert</a> remains too close to call.Why it matters: The Democrat is preparing to take office as she clings to a narrow lead in Colorado&#x27;s 4th Congressional District, a longtime Republican stronghold.

New mental health crisis unit for kids coming to Douglas County

A $3.4 million DougCo investment will bring short-term psychiatric care to children.

Health

An emergency room visit can mean hours of waiting instead of immediate psychiatric care for a child in a mental health crisis.Why it matters: A new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.douglasco.gov/more-help-closer-to-home-douglas-county-celebrates-investment-in-youth-mental-health-care/" data-vars-content-id="2480a56f-8c1b-4f7d-a96f-5c23c7c1d1a4" data-vars-headline="New mental health crisis unit for kids coming to Douglas County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.douglasco.gov/more-help-closer-to-home-douglas-county-celebrates-investment-in-youth-mental-health-care/" target="_blank">unit</a> at Children&#x27;s Hospital Colorado&#x27;s South Campus in Highlands Ranch could spare kids and their families long waits and unnecessary hospital transfers, getting children treatment closer to home.

Inside Colorado's mental health clubhouse

A Lone Tree coffee shop is a place for teens to connect

The metro area&#x27;s coolest mental health program looks a lot like a coffee shop.Yes, but: Head upstairs at Lone Tree&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Happy Crew Coffee House" data-vars-click-url="https://www.happycrewcoffeehouse.com/" data-vars-content-id="fe445e65-6a23-4563-a682-9c451b047ce9" data-vars-headline="Inside Colorado&#x27;s mental health clubhouse" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.happycrewcoffeehouse.com/" target="_blank">Happy Crew Coffee House</a> after hours on a school-year Monday and you might find 100 teenagers munching pizza, laughing and tackling topics that can be tough to broach at home.

Cutting class in Douglas County

Teen students cut hair, give facials and build career skills.

Business

Eighteen-year-old Carly Kidd grabbed a pair of scissors and eyed my seven years&#x27; worth of DIY haircuts.What she&#x27;s saying: &quot;You&#x27;ve got thick hair,&quot; she told me before her first snip.

"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.

DCSD kindergarten vaccine rate beats state numbers

DCSD kindergarten coverage higher as vax rates decline statewide.

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.

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 weighs e-moto crackdown

Crashes, complaints and near-misses are driving concerns.

What started as a fun way for kids to get around has become one of Douglas County&#x27;s fastest-growing public safety headaches.The latest: County commissioners on Tuesday will discuss potential regulations aimed at high-powered e-motos as complaints, crashes and enforcement challenges pile up.

Douglas County weekday treks worth your time

Sunrise stairs and sunset views — walks for any schedule.

A little trip outside can change your perspective.Why it matters: Walking <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gives your brain a boost" data-vars-click-url="https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2014/04/walking-vs-sitting-042414?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="d6ec4918-edde-4d5e-b461-f32910bd1262" data-vars-headline="Douglas County weekday treks worth your time" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2014/04/walking-vs-sitting-042414?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">gives your brain a boost</a>, makes you more productive and gets you to chill the heck out.

Douglas County's crop lab

Volunteers test crops that handle drought and temperature swings.

Environment

A mostly volunteer-run Douglas County orchard is helping residents figure out what can actually survive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/30/colorado-wildfire-risk-2026-drought" data-vars-content-id="159303f2-d622-49b4-8fe4-d69187d2d32d" data-vars-headline="Douglas County&#x27;s crop lab" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/30/colorado-wildfire-risk-2026-drought" target="_self">drought</a>, wind and wild weather.Why it matters: The county&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hidden Mesa Research &amp; Demonstration Orchard" data-vars-click-url="https://www.douglasco.gov/open-space-natural-resources/projects/hidden-mesa-research-demo-orchard/" data-vars-content-id="159303f2-d622-49b4-8fe4-d69187d2d32d" data-vars-headline="Douglas County&#x27;s crop lab" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.douglasco.gov/open-space-natural-resources/projects/hidden-mesa-research-demo-orchard/" target="_blank">Hidden Mesa Research &amp; Demonstration Orchard</a> near Franktown has tested hundreds of fruits, vegetables and other crops in real-world conditions — creating rare local data on what grows, what doesn&#x27;t and how to save precious resources.

Health 🩺

New mental health crisis unit for kids coming to Douglas County

Polis' final budget plan would gut Medicaid benefits

1-minute voter guide: Propositions 134 and 135 on the Colorado ballot

Inside Colorado's mental health clubhouse

Children's Hospital Colorado sees 65% spike in mental health ER visits