Growing foothills community with historic downtown
In the 1870s, Castle Rock was known as a quarrying community at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The rhyolite stone responsible for kickstarting the city’s economy today adorns downtown buildings, several of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. The construction of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1875 further established the community as a center for industry. Eventually, it became the county seat for Douglas County, a title it still holds today, along with the many government offices needed to support county initiatives. In fact, from 2020 to 2023, its population surpassed 81,000, an 11.3% increase. “It’s right off Interstate 25, the main line through Denver, so Castle Rock is growing like crazy and always has been, but it really is now,” says Phillip Booghier, a realtor with LIV Sotheby’s International Realty who was licensed in Denver in 2021.
Castle Rock is the largest city between Denver and Colorado Springs.
Quaint, sidewalk-lined streets are home to a collection of locally-owned shops and restaurants.
Castle Rock is a star place to live that over 73,000 residents have turned into a home.
With I25 running through the middle of Castle Rock, it's easy to access downtown Denver.
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Historic downtown and Outlets at Castle Rock
Through historic preservation, Downtown Castle Rock has retained some of its railroad town character, repurposing some of the original buildings, such as Castle Cafe, the longest-serving restaurant in town. Boutiques, antique shops and other locally owned cafes and tap houses line the remainder of Wilcox Street, downtown’s main road. The Outlets at Castle Rock are off Interstate 25, and popular for offering discounts on name brands, including Nike and Michael Kors. Near the outlet mall, restaurant chains and fast food options surround the Promenade at Castle Rock shopping center. Shopping centers anchored by grocers such as King Soopers also dot the city and have additional dining options.
Castle Rock's past continues to be preserved today in historic rhyolite stone buildings.
Get some retail therapy in at the Outlets at Castle Rocks.
The Outlets at Castle Rock is the largest open-air shopping mall in Colorado.
For a good deal, head 3 miles north to the Outlets at Castle Rock.
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Castle Rock rodeos, artisans, and annual celebrations
Although Castle Rock does not have a designated entertainment district, rodeos are held at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Downtown, Castle Rock Historical Society and Museum has exhibits on local history and the Continental Divide Raceway. Wilcox Square and Festival Park host annual events and holiday celebrations, including Castle Rock ArtFest and WineFest. ArtFest is held for two days in September and includes displays from over 110 artists around the state. Meanwhile, during WineFest, activities include food demonstrations, wine pairings, live music, the Grape Stomp and samplings of over 180 varietals provided by two dozen Colorado wineries. During the Douglas County Fair Parade, horses trot down Wilcox Street as they have since 1955.
The Castle Rock Starlighting kickstarts the holiday season the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The event centers around the lighting of a 40-foot, 100-bulb star on top of the butte at Rock Park. The star was first installed as a symbol of hope during the Great Depression, and the community has united around it every holiday season since 1962.
The Douglas County Fairgrounds in Castle Rock is a gathering place in the community.
Learn about heritage, geology & military history at Castle Rock Historical Society and Museum.
Downtown Castle Rock hosts a variety of seasonal and annual events at Festival Park.
The Castle Rock Star is lit, and then there is a fireworks show.
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Downtown apartments to multiacre lots with Millennium Mansions
Housing options include a wide range, from apartments—most common in Downtown Castle Rock—to cul-de-sacs of single-family homes, with architectural styles such as ranch-style homes, Craftsman, contemporary traditional and Millennium Mansions. Prices can range from $120,000 for a condo to over $3 million for a single-family home on multiple acres. Townhouses dot subdivisions and have a median price of around $470,000. The median single-family home price is $725,000, which is over $300,000 above the national average.
The United States Census Bureau reports that the annual median household income is almost $136,000 in Castle Rock, significantly higher than the national average of $75,000.
There are modern condos located in Downtown Castle Rock.
Two-bedroom condos in Stone Creek Park start at about $285,000.
Whether looking for bungalow-style homes or something larger, Castle Rock has something for you.
The northern portion of Castle Rock was developed throughout the 1980s.
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Recreation from canyon trails to golf courses
Castle Rock dedicates around 30% of its landscape to open space, totaling roughly 6,900 acres and maintains 60 parks and over 130 miles of trails. Rock Park is the town’s most iconic landmark, with its fortress-shaped butte, after which Castle Rock is named. Castlewood Canyon State Park spans over 2,600 acres and has rock climbing walls and over 12 miles of trail that meander alongside Cherry Creek. The 300-acre Philip S. Miller Park includes the Miller Activity Complex, a two-story facility with an aquatic center and a staircase named “Challenge Hill,” which totals 200 steps and elevates to 178 feet. Millhouse at Philip S. Miller Park is an outdoor amphitheater with Adirondack chairs and lounge seating for up to 90 people in addition to standing room for 125 attendees. Throughout the city, there are several golf courses to choose from, including Red Hawk Ridge Golf and Plum Creek Golf Club.
The whole family can enjoy the natural beauty of Castlewood Canyon State Park.
The Plum Creek Golf Course is located in the heart of the Plum Creek Neighborhood.
Phillip S. Miller Park has it's own incline for some great exercise.
There is an outside gym at Phillip S. Miller Park.
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Third-largest Colorado school district offering uncommon opportunities
Castle Rock is zoned for Douglas County School District, which earns an overall A-minus grade from Niche. The district educates around 62,000 students across 92 schools, making it the third-largest school district in Colorado. Several of its schools offer unique courses and facilities, like the on-site cycle studio at Cresthill Middle School, or the hydroponic farm for Mountain Vista High School agriculture business students.
Commutes and employers between Denver and Colorado Springs
While its population has continued to grow, Castle Rock’s infrastructure has remained the same, resulting in traffic jams along the main thoroughfare, Interstate 25, the most direct route to Denver, under 30 miles north, and Colorado Springs, about 41 miles south. The Crystal Valley interchange is set for completion in 2027 to alleviate southbound traffic along I-25. Meadows Parkway, part of Colorado state Highway 86, runs east to west, connecting both sides of Castle Rock with AdventHealth Castle Rock, the area’s primary hospital. Since Castle Rock is the county seat, many residents work in government offices located downtown. Dedicated bike lanes run throughout Castle Rock's west and east sides and cross I-25 on the Hangmans Gulch and Plum Creek trails. The Denver International Airport (DEN) is approximately 40 miles north and provides nonstop flights to all 50 states and over a dozen major international cities.
Castle Rock Police Department statistics and programs
The number of property crimes documented by the Castle Rock Police Department increased by 4% between 2019 and 2023, while the number of violent crimes decreased by roughly 19%. Additionally, the Colorado Division of Justice reported a statewide increase in reported property crimes by over 3% and an increase in violent crime by almost 17%. Castle Rock Police Department promotes various crime deterrent programs throughout the year, including Rock Watch, a voluntary initiative to register security cameras, and Crime Stoppers, where witnesses of crimes who come forward may be eligible for monetary rewards.
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