Douglas County

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"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>.

NASA backs Castle Rock's space training hub

A Castle Rock-based institute will train students for aerospace jobs.

Aerospace

Arapahoe Community College&#x27;s Castle Rock-based space institute won&#x27;t send astronauts to the stars, but it wants graduates building the bolts, soldering the parts and drawing the plans that get them there.Why it matters: Douglas County will soon help anchor NASA-backed workforce training in Colorado, connecting students statewide with an industry hungry for skilled workers.

DougCo commissioners add competing ballot measure

A new ballot question complicates how a five-member commission could be elected.

Election

Douglas County commissioners added another wrinkle to November&#x27;s ballot Monday, giving voters yet another choice about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the board&#x27;s future" data-vars-click-url="https://www.douglasco.gov/board-county-commissioners/transparency/3-to-5-commissioners-voter-initiated-measure/" data-vars-content-id="0a2ede48-254f-4010-8329-b8b2b0fd1d57" data-vars-headline="DougCo commissioners add competing ballot measure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.douglasco.gov/board-county-commissioners/transparency/3-to-5-commissioners-voter-initiated-measure/" target="_blank">the board&#x27;s future</a>.Why it matters: Voters already face a big decision about the commission this fall.

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.

Laubacher turns up the heat on Boebert

Lauren Boebert faces a different kind of Democratic challenger.

Retired Navy Rear Adm. Eileen Laubacher has the resume, money and growing institutional support that could make U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert sweat the 4th Congressional District seat Republicans routinely dominate.Why it matters: Laubacher, a former Republican <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeschool" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/eileenforcolorado/posts/i-homeschooled-my-five-kids-for-years-it-was-a-challenge-to-say-the-least-teachi/122183229296870310/" data-vars-content-id="be1b9264-e016-4eae-8957-848b59610bf1" data-vars-headline="Laubacher turns up the heat on Boebert" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/eileenforcolorado/posts/i-homeschooled-my-five-kids-for-years-it-was-a-challenge-to-say-the-least-teachi/122183229296870310/" target="_blank">homeschool</a> mom and U.S. Naval Academy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="graduate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.navy.mil/Leadership/Flag-Officer-Biographies/Search/Article/2236454/rear-admiral-eileen-laubacher/" data-vars-content-id="be1b9264-e016-4eae-8957-848b59610bf1" data-vars-headline="Laubacher turns up the heat on Boebert" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.navy.mil/Leadership/Flag-Officer-Biographies/Search/Article/2236454/rear-admiral-eileen-laubacher/" target="_blank">graduate</a> from Highlands Ranch, is running toward the middle as a Democrat in solid red territory.

Lone Tree's speeding ticket spike

Tickets jumped 453% along the roughly 3-mile stretch east of I-25.

News

Lone Tree police are cracking down on speeders along RidgeGate Parkway as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="development" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/05/19/ridgegate-lone-tree-development-urban-center" data-vars-content-id="52a58958-0cec-4272-8af3-a10e3c0e0778" data-vars-headline="Lone Tree&#x27;s speeding ticket spike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/05/19/ridgegate-lone-tree-development-urban-center" target="_self">development</a> transforms the corridor.Surprising stat: Tickets jumped 453% along the roughly 3-mile stretch east of I-25, an Axios review of city citations shows.

AI tests metro schools' comfort zones

Denver-area school districts are deciding when AI helps students.

Education

As school restarts across metro Denver this month, districts are weighing how much room the technology gets in classrooms and when it can supplement — or short-circuit — students&#x27; thinking.Zoom in: Douglas County ranks among the metro area&#x27;s most aggressive adopters, linking AI skills to college and workplace preparation.

Boebert's son faces child exploitation charges

Tyler Boebert was released on bond after his Aug. 9 arrest.

U.S. Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lauren Boebert&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/trump-colorado-water-lauren-boebert" data-vars-content-id="65e54110-ed4f-4472-9cfd-8231f4233c8a" data-vars-headline="Boebert&#x27;s son faces child exploitation charges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/trump-colorado-water-lauren-boebert" target="_self">Lauren Boebert&#x27;s</a> 21-year-old son was arrested over the weekend on felony charges related to the alleged sexual exploitation of a child, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Garfield County Sheriff&#x27;s Office" data-vars-click-url="https://www.garcosheriff.com/arrest-made-for-child-sexual-exploitation-charges/" data-vars-content-id="65e54110-ed4f-4472-9cfd-8231f4233c8a" data-vars-headline="Boebert&#x27;s son faces child exploitation charges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.garcosheriff.com/arrest-made-for-child-sexual-exploitation-charges/" target="_blank">Garfield County Sheriff&#x27;s Office</a>.Catch up quick: Tyler Boebert <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="faces" data-vars-click-url="https://www.denverpost.com/2026/08/10/colorado-lauren-tyler-boebert-arrested/" data-vars-content-id="65e54110-ed4f-4472-9cfd-8231f4233c8a" data-vars-headline="Boebert&#x27;s son faces child exploitation charges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.denverpost.com/2026/08/10/colorado-lauren-tyler-boebert-arrested/" target="_blank">faces</a> three felony charges of sexual exploitation of a child, including one alleging intent to &quot;deal in, sell or distribute … any sexually exploitative material&quot; and another involving videotaped material, according to court records.

DougCo's all-in bid for youth sports

New sports venues aim to draw tournaments and boost the local economy.

Development

Douglas County is coming for kids&#x27; travel ball, swim meet and basketball tournament weekends — plus their parents&#x27; hotel nights, meals and everything between.Why it matters: County-backed sports projects could turn our kid-heavy county into a regional youth sports hub.

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