Douglas County

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Douglas County sheriff drops Flock for Axon

The sheriff says privacy concerns and lost trust drove the switch.

News

The Douglas County Sheriff&#x27;s Office is dumping Flock Safety after Sheriff Darren Weekly said he lost trust in the surveillance technology company.State of play: County commissioners last week approved a nearly $23 million, 10-year contract with Axon, which makes Tasers, body cameras, drones and license plate readers.

DougCo towns pump brakes on drone delivery

Officials want answers on noise, privacy and safety before approving hubs.

Business

Parker and Castle Rock are likely among the nation&#x27;s first municipalities to pause approvals on drone-delivery hubs that launch retail orders from ground facilities into nearby neighborhoods.Why it matters: Back-to-back ordinances passed last week reveal a cautious approach from two fast-growing Douglas County communities better known for competing to attract retail convenience and sales tax dollars.

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.

Culture

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.

Health

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.

Axios Arapahoe County

Double trouble: Colorado's summertime air threats

Arapahoe County

The metro area's e-bike injuries are surging

Axios Denver

Gut-wrecking stomach bug cases confirmed "throughout" Colorado

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Health 🩺

Double trouble: Colorado's summertime air threats

The metro area's e-bike injuries are surging

Local bookstores see boom as tech antidote

Gut-wrecking stomach bug cases confirmed "throughout" Colorado

The Highlands Ranch pickleball boom