6 Ways Castle Rock, CO Residents Enjoy Work-Life Balance
Castle Rock residents enjoy the good life when it comes to both work and play.
Castle Rock offers Colorado living at its finest. Locals can enjoy a long list of attributes, including limitless outdoor resources, a friendly business community, an array of entertainment options and proximity to Denver and Colorado Springs.
In This Article
1. The Outdoor Recreation Scene Is Unmatched
The Castle Rock region is a natural playground surrounded by national and state parks that are internationally recognized for their scenic views, mountains that kiss the sky and unique recreational opportunities. Outdoor lovers can easily access a trail or bike path after work, and families can take their pick of play when it comes to Castle Rock’s 54 developed parks.
Graham Shalvoy, the Castle Rock Run Club facilitator and the director of recruiting for a technology staffing firm, moved to Castle Rock largely because of the superior trail system. He and his wife are ultra-marathoners, and the town provides rolling terrain and hills right out your back door, he says, including one of his favorites, the 17-mile Ridgeline Loop with 2,000 vertical feet of climbing.
“We feel lucky to be here,” says Shalvoy, a father of two boys.
Situated right off Interstate 25, Castle Rock’s location makes travel a breeze when it comes to some of the state’s most famous destinations like Pikes Peak, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Estes Park or downtown Denver.
2. Culture and Community
Festivals, farmers markets and fun runs are just a few ways Castle Rock cultivates culture and community. Something is always happening in Castle Rock, no matter the time of the year.
Castle Rock has done a great job making sure that residents have all the amenities they need within the town, drawing new residents who want to live and work in the community, says Steve Thayer with Keller Williams Action Realty.
“Castle Rock is a wonderful place to live, and the quality of life is amazing here,” he says. “We have great schools, low crime and lots of amenities. Our town has grown over the years, and we have tons of shopping, great restaurant options and lots of businesses that employ residents.”
3. Family-Friendly Fun
It’s easy to see why Castle Rock is growing at an average of 800 single-family homes and 125 multifamily homes a year. With superior education, diverse housing options, limitless entertainment and ample athletic fields, Castle Rock is the ideal place for a growing family.
Marci Swanson, broker and owner at Century 21 Altitude Real Estate, says Castle Rock residents enjoy a mix of big-city amenities with quaint, small-town charm that includes an Oktoberfest celebration and rubber “Ducky Derby.” When Santa comes to town for Christmas in December, there’s caroling in the streets and a community star lighting. Plus, as the county seat, Castle Rock is home to the Douglas County Fairgrounds.
“There’s a little bit for everyone here,” Swanson says. “Castle Rock is family-focused, but we also attract seniors and have a lot of allure for millennials and younger generations, too.”
4. Business Is Booming
The Arapahoe Community College Sturm Collaboration Campus is cultivating talent pipelines that create workforce solutions for the region’s high-demand jobs. And the best part is these businesses support nonprofits, such as the Castle Rock Artist Cooperative and the Castle Rock Chamber Foundation, that help make this community a better place to live.
The town is growing and offering more opportunities in sectors like health care, technology, education, recreation and hospitality. As the county seat for Douglas County, the town is home to many government offices and support services, too.
The diverse mix of employers also includes a robust retail sector.
Located in the heart of downtown, The Emporium opened a decade ago with 12 merchants. Today, the collective connects Castle Rock with 62 small businesses that sell a curated selection of home furnishings, clothing, jewelry and specialty foods, as well as children’s clothing and toys.
“We provide a premier shopping experience with a small-town atmosphere,” says Susan Byrne, the general manager of The Emporium. “We dedicate ourselves to providing exceptional service while being a go-to destination for unique goods and gifts.”
5. Ease of Mobility
Walkers, runners and bikers will be happy in Castle Rock. However, when it comes to mobility concerns, Castle Rock prioritizes infrastructure improvements like bike lanes, trail connections, sidewalks and crosswalk beacons. For commuters, the region is investing millions in roadways that will decrease driving time and improve driver safety.
6. Innovation in Education
Douglas County is home to several K-12 options that make up one of the highest-performing school districts in Colorado. ACC Sturm Collaboration Campus is down the road, providing high-quality education to nearly 11,500 students in the form of college readiness programs, associate and bachelor’s degrees, workforce training, apprenticeships and more.
If you’d like to learn more about the Castle Rock area, check out the latest edition of Livability: Castle Rock, CO.