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TO SALE
Home sales more than doubled month over month, signaling strong spring demand and renewed buyer confidence as mortgage rates ease.

Castle Rock's market is heating up this spring. Sellers are now closing within just 1.6% of original list price—a sharp jump from 94.9% in January. With buyer activity climbing and inventory still tight, wellpriced homes are moving quickly.
DAYS ON MARKET
For sellers, momentum is on your side—list-to-sale ratios are climbing and homes are selling in roughly half the time they were just three months ago. Pricing right out of the gate captures the spring buyer pool.
For buyers, mortgage rates have eased to 6.36% (down from 6.81% a year ago), making this an attractive window before competition tightens further.
To see what your home could sell for in today’s market, reach out to me directly.


Hi Neighbors,
Summer is in full swing, and there has never been a better time to pack a bag, step outside, and see where the trail leads. Welcome to our July Explore Issue—and what a massive month of celebration we have ahead of us right here in Castle Rock!

First up, it’s time to dust off your boots because the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo is back. This town knows how to honor its western heritage, and from the cattle drive down Perry Street to the high-energy pro rodeo and carnival lights, it’s the ultimate showcase of our community spirit. There’s something magical about those warm July nights at the fairgrounds, eating funnel cake and watching the dust kick up under the stadium lights.
But the excitement doesn't stop at the county line. This July, we are living through a historic double-feature. We are officially celebrating America’s 250th birthday and Colorado’s 150th year of statehood! It is incredible to think about the generations of trailblazers who looked at these rugged Rocky Mountains and decided to build a life here.
From the historic 1776 milestones of our nation to our very own 1876 "Centennial State" roots, this issue explores the deep history, local traditions, and hidden gems that make our corner of the country so unique. Whether you are exploring our open spaces, catching the downtown parade, or firing up the backyard grill, we live in a place worth celebrating.
So, take a little extra time to explore your own backyard this month. Hit a new trail, support a local vendor at the fair, and soak in the history of the beautiful land we get to call home.
Happy exploring, and Happy Birthday, America and Colorado!

STEVE
HILL, PUBLISHER & DEBBIE HILL, CO-PUBLISHER
July 2026
PUBLISHER
Steve Hill | steve.hill@citylifestyle.com
CO-PUBLISHER
Debbie Hill | debbie.hill@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Kristen Gonzales kristen.gonzales@kcrcopywriting.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Cassandra Green
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Castle Rock Headshots, Dance the Magic Photos, Matt Rees, Random Ranch Photography Studio
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto
LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick

























A ROUNDUP OF NEWS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES

The Ruff House is excited to announce a new partnership with Misfits Dog Training. In addition to boarding and daycare, we now offer board and train services and day training on site. These accelerated training programs are the perfect option for those dogs needing socialization and consistent direction. For more information, contact The Ruff House at 720-679-9100.

Mountain Luxe RV has relocated its dealership from Englewood to Castle Rock. The new facility features an indoor showroom designed to showcase the complete lineup of Grech RV’s best-in-class luxury touring coaches built on the MercedesBenz Sprinter chassis. As Colorado’s exclusive Grech RV dealer, Mountain Luxe RV is known for its personalized approach and commitment to providing an exceptional ownership experience. Stop by the new showroom and discover what luxury van travel is all about.
Scan to read more






Mountainside Auto Refinement is setting down roots in Castle Rock! Now open at the former 1 Stop Tire and Auto location at 414 Wilcox St, Castle Rock, Mountainside Auto Refinement offers a wide range of services, including paint protection, window tinting, vinyl wraps, and custom sign printing. Whether you need a quick, convenient wash or detailed, specialized work in a controlled environment, Mountainside Detailing is committed to delivering exceptional results and outstanding customer satisfaction.




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Behind each of our 200+ City Lifestyle magazines is someone who cares deeply about their community.
Someone who connects people, celebrates businesses, and shares the stories that matter most. What if that someone was you?
Or maybe it’s someone you know. If this isn’t the right time for you, but you know someone who could be the perfect fit, we’d love an introduction.
Markets available nationwide
Learn more at future.citylifestyle.com

ARTICLE BY KRISTEN GONZALES
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHOTOGRAPHY BY RANDOM RANCH PHOTO STUDIO
Editor’s Note: The Douglas County Fair & Rodeo marks its 108th year July 24th through August 2nd celebrating Douglas County’s Western and ag roots. This year’s fair and rodeo features premier acts such as Trace Adkins and AWOLNATION, ProRodeo events, food and arts open class competitions, and more. Find tickets and more information douglascountyfairandrodeo.com
As little girls dream of becoming royalty, there’s usually a crown, a ball gown, and a magical castle at the heart of their childhood fantasies. A handsome prince escorts them to the dance floor, and their subjects watch with envy as they float around the palace. It’s about enchantment, magic, and grace.
For Douglas County Fair & Rodeo Queen Taina MacDonald, royalty looks different. The crown, ball gown, and castle are replaced with a cowboy hat, spurs, and an arena. Her horse guides her as she waves and smiles at the crowd, inspiring other young women to find their passion in rodeo royalty. Sure, there’s enchantment, magic, and grace here, but there’s also determination, work ethic, and confidence.
“Rodeo means teamwork, grit, hard work, and coming together to represent the sport of rodeo to all the little kids,” Taina says. “As a little kid, I’d always watch the rodeo and just always wanted to be a part of it.”
“I had been around horses all my life,” she explains. “I love the hard work and determination that it takes to own a horse. Being raised in 4-H, I was always at our rodeo in Douglas County.”
Indeed, Taina’s love for the rodeo started at a young age with her horses. Her family owns two, and she leases a third.
As a Castle Rock resident since she was young, Taina credits her Haitian heritage and worldwide travel during her schooling with her mom for shaping how she views rodeo through a different lens.
“With my Haitian heritage and my international travel, I’ve been able to use a lot of my experiences of connecting with different cultures and religions and people like me and different from me to rodeo,” Taina explains. “It’s so much about connecting people as a rodeo queen and so much trying to get to know people and reach out and promote the sport of rodeo.”
Taina’s mother gave her the wonderful opportunity to be worldschooled, traveling to different parts of the world while being homeschooled. She has been to all the countries in South America and 75% of the countries in Europe. Those experiences have grounded her in connection, helping her understand that people from different backgrounds could come together through rodeo.
As the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo celebrates its 108th year, the popularity of this 10-day event held at the end of July has reached a next-level status. Debbie Mills, Taina’s mentor and the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo Fair Board Director, saw the $10,000 purse rise to $300,000 in her 20 years with the rodeo. Those winnings go to competitors and showcase the massive interest and value that the rodeo brings to the Douglas County community.
CONTINUED >

“Being raised in 4-H, I was always at our rodeo in Douglas County.”

Taina believes that the rodeo matters more than ever when she says, “I think it connects to our roots. Douglas County originally was a big farming and ranching community. And as it grew, with more cities and houses, that kind of started to go away, but I feel like our rodeo is a time when everyone can come together and be reminded of the history of Douglas County.”
With the fair and rodeo combined, there is something for everyone. Rodeo competitors participate in everything from Mutton Bustin’ to barrel racing to bull riding and roping. Meanwhile, the fair showcases a concert; this year features country legend Trace Adkins. There is also a farm-to-table brunch where local farmers provide delicious foods from their lands. Add in carnival rides and a petting zoo, and the excitement builds throughout Douglas County in anticipation of this yearly event.
For Taina, her involvement as queen started a year ago. The grueling process of the royalty pageant, featuring speeches, interviews, modeling, and riding, brought about a confidence she had striven for throughout the process. The experience has helped her inspire other young girls.
“I would say just do it,” Taina says about trying out for the royalty. “Get out of your comfort zone. There’s never going to be a time you feel fully ready, and if you just get out there, you may not win, and that’s fine. But the community out there that is supporting you and the girls out there that are supporting you is amazing. Just ask your questions, study, and arrive.”
As the rodeo remains a valuable way of life, it demonstrates how everyone is connected to it. From agriculture and competitions to the royalty program, residents reap the benefits of this incredible community, keeping it relevant in an ever-changing urban landscape.
“Through my experience, the biggest thing I’ve learned is that leadership is serving others,” Taina says. “A lot of people think as rodeo queen you are in the spotlight the whole time, and that is a big part of it. But also serving your community
“Serving your community and trying to be the person who cheers on the little kids out there and be the one who represents the sport of rodeo and try to get the word out there.”



and trying to be the person who cheers on the little kids out there and be the one who represents the sport of rodeo and try to get the word out there.”
An avid horse lover, Taina will ride her leased horse Rusty in the royalty parade in Downtown Castle Rock on July 25. Her history of barrel racing, reined cow horse, and Western Dressage keeps her attuned to the horses and their demeanor.
“Before I get on my horse, I lunge them [lead them with a rope around in a circle],” Taina says. “And you can tell if they’re tentative…You figure out how they move and how you can connect that to how you ride.”
With this remarkable woman as queen of the rodeo and high school in the rearview mirror, Taina has enjoyed every step of the process.
“I think being part of the rodeo and the community, every single one of the girls who try out and are part of royalty throughout Colorado and some we’ve met in Wyoming are all so kind and just want to see you succeed.”
Douglas County Fair & Rodeo Fair Board Director, Debbie Mills Leads With Style and Grace
Recognized as Committee Woman of the Year by The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, Debbie Mills is the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo Fair Board Director.
DEBBIE, STARTING IN THE MIDDLE, CAN YOU SHARE ABOUT TRAVELING TO RODEOS WITH YOUR GIRLS WHEN THEY WERE YOUNGER?
They did youth rodeo in high school, primarily National Little Britches Rodeo, while online schooling. So, we would leave on Wednesdays and go to Utah, Kansas, Wyoming, all over Colorado, every weekend, year-round. You know, you can do it as much as you want to. And it’s great because of the relationships they built. They still keep in touch with kids from when they were kids. Traveling like that gives you an opportunity to meet people that you would never normally get a chance to meet. It is really like a family.
DID YOU GROW UP FAMILIAR WITH THE RODEO?
No. My parents got me a pony when we moved to Colorado. I hated moving when I was in the fifth grade. (It was a tough transition,) and that pony was so mean. It dragged me around and kicked me, and I never told my mom.
ARTICLE BY CASSANDRA GREEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY ABBY WATKINS
She would just drop us off. Those were the days when you just kind of got dropped off, and you just survived until it was dark and you had to come in.
So, when our girls started riding, we wanted to make sure they knew what they were doing and make sure they were safe. It’s like anything: the more you get into something, the more specialized your equipment gets, the more you know.
WHAT MADE IT A PASSION FOR YOU?
Every little girl loves a horse, right? So, it was just knowing that I had one. Not everybody gets that opportunity. We lived a mile from where we kept the horses, so I used to ride my bike to go feed them. It was my friend’s property, so we took turns taking care of things. I mean, that’s the thing about animals, 4-H and horses: they have to be your priority. You can’t say “Oh, I’m gonna go out with my friends.” You have to take care of your horses.

When our girls went to college, they had seven horses at the time. It makes you realize it’s a lifetime sport.
HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN WITH THE DOUGLAS COUNTY FAIR & RODEO?
20 years this year! It’s amazing that it’s gone that fast, and it’s changed tremendously [over] the last 20 years. Because we are a fair and rodeo, you can go ride carnival rides, check out the animal barns and vendors. You can do [activities] along the midway. There are food vendors. There’s a lot to do! I think the average stay is about two and a half hours. You get a little bit of everything.


CAN YOU SHARE ABOUT YOUR DISTINCT STYLE?
My motto is turquoise goes with everything. I love turquoise. I always wear it. I also love vintage. To me, it’s something you can do year-round and no matter where you go.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A PART OF THE DOUGLAS COUNTY FAIR & RODEO FOR YOU?
I love it! I can remember when we used to meet in the back room at Village Inn on Free Pie Wednesday. You know, we’d have these meetings, and at the end of the fair, all the directors back when it was a private association would pull out their checkbooks and write checks for what wasn’t covered. It has grown so much!
For me, it’s exciting to see the changes and the things we’ve been able to do. We’ve been able to appreciate the heritage, but bring new things in and keep people involved in it.
We’ve been around since 1918, and there’s a lot of history there. Agriculture will never go away. If you eat, you’re part of agriculture. It’s important to keep people involved.
Purchase tickets to the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo at douglascountyfairandrodeo.com

















ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
Winnipeg in the winter, and a 17-year-old waits 45 minutes in the cold for Keanu Reeves. Her fingers are numb. She is not there for an autograph. She is there to ask him to appear in her audition tape for MuchMusic, Canada’s MTV. When he finally agrees, she writes her number on a gum wrapper with a borrowed lip liner.
He calls days later.
That 17-year-old was Jen Cohen — fitness expert, host of the Habits & Hustle podcast, and best-selling author. She has built a career on the premise her frostbitten afternoon proved. She calls the practice the 10% Target: 10 attempts at whatever you want most in life.
The premise is simple. Most people never make one attempt. Almost nobody makes two. The math works in favor of the person who keeps going.
The top-rated Habits & Hustle podcast has logged hundreds of conversations with high performers and the people who study what the body does to the mind. Her TEDx talk, The Secret to Getting Anything You Want in Life, has traveled widely inside Fortune 500 sales-training rooms. On the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Cohen sits down to share the working rules that are the foundation of her latest book, Bigger, Better, Bolder.
“You have to be the CEO of your own life.”
FEATURING JEN COHEN
Discover the full 10% Target Mindset framework.


1 2
The door opens, or another door does. The unmade attempt and the refused one leave you in the same place — except one of them teaches you something.
Cohen frames her habits as a wager: How do I stack the deck so I win more than I lose? The workout happens first, and the food decisions follow. The email follow-up gets sent, and the answer arrives. The choices compound in a single direction.
3
No one is born with it. The people who look disciplined are running a routine they have rehearsed long enough that it no longer feels like effort. The reps are the skill. Miss them, and the skill fades, the same as any other.
4
Confidence does not arrive by repeating the word. It arrives after the body has done the thing — the workout finished, the cold walk endured, the email sent. The mind takes its cues from what the body proves it can do. Talk follows action, not the other way around.
5
The first decision sets the slope of the rest. Skip the Monday workout, and the rest of the week tends to follow. Hold the line on Monday, and the slope tilts the other way.




















FRISCO GATE DESIGNS ESTATE GATES WHERE ELEGANCE MEETS ENGINEERING
BY MATT REES

A custom-built gate produced by FRISCO Gate, a full-service, locally owned welding and fabrication business, sets a property apart from the rest. With over a decade of experience, they specialize in handcrafted gates tailored to each client’s vision. From intricate designs to precision engineering, customers know they are getting the best from Matt Rees and his team.
“Our focus is to work with the customer and make their design come to life,” Matt explains.
With a PhD in Chemistry and many years of government service, Matt decided to capitalize on his passion for welding and turn it into something more.
“I’ve been welding since I was in high school,” Matt says. “It was sort of a natural progression. I’ve had a business that has been around since 2000, and it was fairly non-specific. I installed an automatic gate at my property, and I enjoyed the process. The business took root and grew. We do all sorts of welding and other things, but the gate area is a passion which combines our artistic sensibilities with the welding, engineering and electrical components that all fit together in my background.”
FRISCO Gate, led by Matt and his wife, Heidi, creates premium, custom-built gates for businesses and homes throughout Colorado.
“HAVING A GATE THAT DOESN’T MEET EXPECTATIONS IS WORSE THAN HAVING NO GATE AT ALL.”
“It’s privacy and security,” Matt says, as to why people want gates. “It’s having access control to your property, and a lot of times it’s either keeping animals in or the public out. We’ve been doing a ton of work recently in Teller and El Paso County, but we’re all over.”
CONTINUED >


With FRISCO Gate, customers receive privacy and security with upscale gates made with state-of-the-art equipment, designed and engineered with each specific need in mind.
“We really try to focus on combining a particular gate that we worked with the customer to design, with the customer’s climate and geography matched with the highest-grade commercial operators to achieve the highest reliability for the future.”
He goes on, “Having a gate that doesn’t meet expectations is worse than having no gate at all.”
While solar-powered operators are available, the best option for long-term reliability and highest customer satisfaction is to run power to the gate wherever possible. Using cutting-edge fabrication and technology ensures they stand out from the competition and reduces the need for out-of-service calls.
As customers range from businesses to private ranches, so do the designs. While some customers bring their own designs to the table, others rely on FRISCO Gate to create designs from scratch.
“It’s about 50/50,” Matt explains, on getting customer designs versus creating a design from scratch. “We need some ideas on what they want upfront, but we encourage them to go out on the internet and find other gates or sit down and draw something on a piece of paper.”
He continues, “We need something to start, and based on the idea from them, we can take it and say, ‘Well, we need to put a crossbar in here to attach the operator,’ but from that, we add more graphics or airbrush art to put in a custom design element.”
While gate frames are generally made of powder-coated steel, aluminum wood accents are an option. FRISCO Gate fabricates overhead arches from steel or wood to meet the customer’s vision.
“We can add wood elements to the gate,” Matt says. “It’s really whatever the customer wants.”
With pristine craftsmanship at every turn, FRISCO Gate has earned its reputation for creating reliable, trustworthy gates that showcase an artist’s touch. Find out more at www.friscogate.com











ARTICLE BY DEBBIE HILL
Front Range gardening is always a challenge. Now that the dog days of summer are upon us, our gardens need a little extra TLC to make it through these hot, dry times.
If your plants seem to wilt in the afternoons, a little extra water will help. Pay close attention to insects that may damage crops and ornamentals. Try to avoid broad-spectrum pesticides; they kill beneficial insects right along with the troublesome ones. Instead, try hand-picking pests. For example, tomato hornworms glow at night under a black light, making them easy to remove by hand.
To keep your fruits and vegetables producing, harvest ripe produce daily. For fruit trees, remove some fruit from heavily laden branches. This results in larger fruit and prevents branches from breaking.
Many annuals and perennials benefit from being deadheaded. Removing spent blooms prolongs flower production and keeps your plants looking neat and tidy.
Finally, don’t forget to fertilize! Your plants are growing and hungry. With a little extra care, you’ll be enjoying the fruits of your labor with a bounty large enough to share with friends and neighbors.



Gardening is more than a lifestyle—it’s a passion cultivated over 25 years in landscape design. I cherish every moment spent nurturing the earth, watching beauty unfold, and sharing nature’s bounty. From vibrant blooms to fresh harvests, my hope is to inspire you to step outside, breathe deeply, and grow with intention. Let’s create something beautiful—together. Happy Gardening!


















As the only family-owned veterinary clinic in Castle Rock, we care for your pets like members of our own family, because we know they’re an important part of yours!
From preventative care to advanced surgical procedures, we offer comprehensive services to support your pet through every stage of life. Whether they’re a playful puppy or kitten, an active adult, or a cherished senior companion, we’re here to help them live their healthiest, happiest life.


Learn more about our practices and schedule today!
JULY 2026
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
JULY 16TH
Tunes for Trails / Perks for Parks Free Concert - That Eighties Band
Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Parkway Castle Rock, CO 80109 | 6:30 PM
Brought to you by the Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation. Celebrate the summer season with live music, and support a good cause with the Tunes for Trails / Perks for Parks free concert series.
Denver is home to That Eighties Band, one of the most popular 80's tribute bands in America. They have performed over 2,000 concerts across the USA.
JULY 24TH
Western Heritage
Welcome Cattle Drive
Festival Park, 300 Second Street Castle Rock, CO 80104 | 6:00 PM
Watch as cowhands from Silverado Ranch drive a herd of Texas Longhorn through Downtown. Starting at Rock Park, the herd will continue along Perry Street before completing the journey in front of the Castle Rock Police Department. Don’t miss a weekend of activities to celebrate Douglas County’s history and honor a longstanding tradition: the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo.
JULY 24TH
Trace Adkins 30th Anniversary Tour Live In Concert
Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Drive , Castle Rock, Colorado 80104 | 7:30 PM
This event promises an exciting evening filled with Adkins' signature blend of country music, storytelling
and entertainment that has garnered him a devoted fanbase. With a career spanning over two decades, Trace Adkins is set to deliver an impressive live performance that showcases his rough yet soulful voice.
JULY 25TH
Douglas County Fair Parade and Boots & Brews Festival Festival Park, 300 Second Street Castle Rock, CO 80104 | 9:00 AM
Join us in Downtown Castle Rock for the Douglas County Fair Parade at 9:30 AM, then mosey on over to Festival Park for BOOTS & BREWS! Test your skills on a mechanical bull while enjoying live country music. Savor delicious offerings from local breweries and food trucks. It's a day filled with fun, friends, and fantastic memories!
JULY 26TH
Farm-to-Table Brunch
Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Drive , Castle Rock, Colorado 80104 | 10:00 AM
Enjoy a freshly prepared meal by Coast2Coast Catering, celebrating the rich agricultural and ranching heritage of Douglas County. Live music will provide a relaxing atmosphere while you browse the Vendor Village, the event’s exclusive market featuring local artisan booths and unique handmade goods.
JULY 30TH - AUGUST 2ND
Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Drive , Castle Rock, Colorado 80104
Get ready for heart-pounding excitement at the award winning Douglas County Fair & Rodeo’s thrilling rodeo events! From bull riding to barrel racing, the rodeo promises non-stop action and entertainment for the whole family. Don’t miss your chance to witness the professional rodeo stars in action! Performances begin at 7:00pm nightly. For a complete schedule visit: DouglasCountyFairAndRodeo.com/ schedule/
Our Mission is to Restore YOUR health, Restore YOUR hope and to Restore YOUR life through the best chiropractic experience on the planet.



The only chiropractic practice in Castle Rock with digital motion x-rays and 16 techniques to tailor our treatments to your individual needs.
Our extensive initial evaluation enables us to create a care plan to achieve your health goals. We work with families, pregnancy, athletes and pediatrics. We treat pain, migraines, headaches, depression and anxiety.
DISCOVER THE DELICIOUS FRESH TASTE OF A CLASSIC MARGARITA MADE WITHOUT SUGARY MIXERS
ARTICLE BY ANA MEYER
Whether you’re hosting a pool party or simply enjoy sipping the sweet and tartness of an amazing Margarita, this healthier version with these natural ingredients is sure to make your palate happy. This is all fresh ingredients, no mixers. It’s just as easy, much cleaner and better for you!
• 2 oz. Casamigos Reposado or Blanco Tequila
• 1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
• .25 oz. Fresh Orange Juice
• .5 oz. Agave Nectar
• .5 oz. Orange Liqueur
• Garnish with a lime wheel through a skewer
INSTRUCTIONS
• Combine all ingredients into a tin shaker.
• Add ice, shake vigorously and strain into rocks glass.
• Add fresh ice and garnish.








