Once a stop between two cities, this booming town is stepping into the spotlight
BY NATE DAY
ONCE A QUIET, unassuming suburb, Castle Rock has transformed, that’s nothing short of seismic. In just a few decades, this charming town between Denver and Colorado Springs has grown into one of Colorado’s most desirable destinations for families, day-trippers and new residents looking for a blend of historic character, outdoor access and modern amenities.
The numbers tell part of the story: In 2010, Castle Rock was home to just more than 48,000 people. A decade later, that number soared past 73,000, a population increase of more than 51 percent according to the 2020 US Census, with more recent estimates putting that number closer to 80,000.
And while recent years have seen growth slow slightly—mirroring trends across the region—the momentum here hasn’t wavered. That spirit of expansion isn’t new to the region. Long before settlers arrived chasing gold in the mid-1800s, the area was home to the Arapahoe and Cheyenne peoples.
Many gold-seekers stayed after discovering rhyolite, a silica-rich volcanic rock covering the region as a result of a volcanic eruption some 37 million years ago. Silica is used in everything from construction to food production, making it a hot commodity for Coloradans looking to forge success. That stone would eventually also give the town its name, thanks to the distinctively rugged butte that rises dramatically above the skyline, visible from just about everywhere in town.
Today, Castle Rock sits at the crossroads of I-25 and Highway 86, a convenient location that’s helped make it a go-to destination for growing families and people seeking a vibrant downtown, scenic hiking trails, abundant shopping and—more than anything—a sense of community that feels both authentic and modern.
A NEW DOWNTOWN
As Castle Rock has grown, so has its identity—and nowhere is that more evident than downtown. For many years, the area remained relatively quiet, known more for its sleepy streets than for lively shopping or dining. But that began to change in the late 1990s when local entrepreneurs began reinvesting in the town’s historic core.
Among the pioneers was Catherine Haigh, who opened The Barn Antiques & Specialty Shops in 1998 inside a former Douglas County Lumber Company Mercantile building. The structure, with its preserved doors, windows and original wood finishes, is now home to more than a dozen vendors selling everything from furniture to curated home decor, kitchen goods to dog treats and much more.
“In 1998, Castle Rock was tiny. There wasn’t any shopping downtown—outside of the outlet mall, there wasn’t much to draw people in,” Haigh says. But timing is everything. Her decision to open came just as the other local entrepreneurs began planning to bring different industries to the downtown area. What followed was a flurry of business openings, restorations and events that brought a new energy to the area. Today, the district is a destination in its own right—full of restaurants, ice cream shops, bookstores, antique dealers and specialty boutiques.
“Even after 27 years, we have people that come in and say, ‘I’ve lived here for 20 years and for some reason, I didn’t know you were here,” Haigh says, pointing to those interactions as proof that Castle Rock is still growing and evolving, even decades after she initially opened the doors of The Barn.
Just steps away from The Barn is Sunday Afternoon Simple Living, another downtown staple and go-to destination for fans of vintage finds. Owner Linda Harlas has long appreciated Castle Rock’s appeal, calling it the perfect setting for a nostalgic, small-town shopping experience.
“It’s a little town and little towns always have stores like this,” she says.
Sunday Afternoon Simple Living has been a favorite for locals and travelers alike for many years in the Denver area, before relocating to Castle Rock nearly eight years ago.
Harlas spoke of some who’d just recently found the store. “She said, ‘It’s like coming into a warm hug.’ It almost made me cry.”
“Castle Rock’s a destination these days, and people are always looking for something like this,” says Lisa Dimond, an employee of the store. Dimond relocated to Castle Rock five years ago and fell in love with Sunday Afternoon Simple living as a shopper before landing a job at the store.
“This was my store that I always went to for two years,” she says, adding that regulars have visited the store since it opened.
“She has such a following, people that have come here since she opened,” Dimond says of Harlas and the store. “They continue to come to see what her treasures are after she goes on buying trips.”
The historic downtown has also become known for its exciting dining scene, with institutions like the B&B Cafe serving up breakfast, burgers and more for more than 70 years. The diner is as beloved for its food as for its stories—some of which go back to a 1946 shootout inside the restaurant, others from more recent lease disputes that have drawn community-wide support.
Across the street, Castle Cafe continues its own storied legacy. Once a watering hole for cowboys who famously rode horses into the bar, it later became a landmark for road-trippers. These days, it represents the town’s unique blend of history and hospitality.
In a town full of new beginnings, these shops and restaurants remind visitors that Castle Rock’s charm is rooted in its history.
EXPANDING HORIZONS
Of course, it’s not just antique shops and cafés that have put Castle Rock on the map. The Outlets at Castle Rock—Colorado’s largest open-air outlet center—draws shoppers from across the state with brand names like Coach, Nike, The North Face and Swarovski. Just beyond that, the Promenade at Castle Rock adds even more to the mix, with grocers, pet stores and restaurants spanning more than 160 acres.
The economic developments of the area have come with some minor tension from locals, says Tara Vargish, the town’s development services director, who noted that traffic can be a pain point for some residents.
“We do have residents question our plans for traffic improvements,” she says, noting that capital improvement plans are constantly being developed to address issues like traffic and water use that come naturally with growth.
Despite the occasional growing pains, residents of the town have also reported being pleased with the growth.
“We hear a lot of excitement about the new restaurants that have opened downtown or the new medical providers that are in town,” she explains. “We see the positives of growth where folks see new amenities that they hav- en’t seen down here before, and they don’t feel they need to go visit other communities.”
Vargish adds, “When residents have friends or family come and meet them downtown, everyone’s always impressed. They’re like: ‘Wow, look at the vibrancy and the life—little ice cream shops and the bike stores!’”
Despite a great deal of attention being given to the developments around town, Vargish and her team are dedicated to helping to preserve the local businesses, both big and small.
“The revitalization downtown over the last couple of years has brought in multifamily residences to downtown, and we’ve heard from some of our existing businesses that although they may not have been making changes, they have seen consistent growth in their patrons since there’s more folks visiting downtown,” she explained.
Additionally, Vargish’s team works on informational campaigns to share information about renovations, parking and more to keep Castle Rock’s historic downtown running smoothly.
SCENIC BY DESIGN
Even as development continues, Castle Rock has never lost sight of what makes Colorado living desirable to so many: the outdoors.
Since 2008, the Castle Rock Town Council has invested in sustainability and conservation through land preservation, clean energy initiatives and water efficiency programs. The town, in partnership with Douglas County, has preserved hundreds of acres of open space— some for recreation, others to protect wildlife habitat.
The endangered Preble’s meadow jumping mouse, native to the area, is one of several species the town actively monitors and protects. But it’s not just about environmental stewardship—it’s about livability.
“Residents like that Castle Rock is a little different than some other communities they’ve looked at because we have so much connected open space and trails,” she says. “You can eas- ily get outside from your front door. You don’t have to drive up to the foothills or the state park that’s nearby.”
Popular trails and parks like Rock Park, Mitchell Creek Canyon and Chuck’s Loop offer residents of all fitness levels the chance to enjoy Colorado’s stunning scenery right in their backyard.
HEART AND SOUL
Located just 28 miles south of Denver and 40 miles north of Colorado Springs, it offers both convenience and separation from the state’s busier hubs. But what makes Castle Rock more than just a commuter town is its thriving sense of identity—built on local pride and a deep appreciation for community.
Residents like Virginia and Andy Love, who live just south of town, say Castle Rock’s central location was part of the draw—but it’s the community feel that keeps them here.
“They do amazing things like this outdoor market all the time,” Virginia says. “Between the fair and the concerts at the park—it’s a real community.”
Newer arrivals feel it too. Newlyweds McKay and Shae Inman moved to Castle Rock after falling in love with the town during their very first house-hunting visit.
“We like the smaller town vibe compared to Denver,” McKay shares. “It’s very family-friendly, walkable, outdoorsy, the parks are awesome.”
Whether visiting for a day or staying a lifetime, Castle Rock offers a rare blend of modern vi- brancy and small-town soul—a surefire reason for rapid growth in this once small community.
