Enjoy the Best of Colorado Living in Castle Rock
In this city nestled between Denver and Colorado Springs, you'll find the perfect blend of urban and alpine living.
Sitting at an elevation of 6,224 feet, Castle Rock, CO, treats residents to front-row views of the Rocky Mountains, one of the country’s most well-recognized natural marvels.
And while locals can lace up their boots and take a hike anytime, they also have access to a growing town of more than 80,000 people, which boasts diverse housing options and prime real estate, a vibrant downtown with a rich history, plus unique career opportunities.
Castle Rock, simply put, offers Colorado living at its finest, with easy access to the great outdoors and wide-open spaces, as well as close-to-home amenities. Located along the Front Range of the Rockies, and in between Denver and Colorado Springs, the community is a great place for those looking to put down roots and enjoy a work-life balance.
From a thrumming downtown to peaceful escapes, here’s a look at what living in Castle Rock has to offer.
A Vibrant and Historic Downtown
First settled in the 1870s, prospectors came out West looking for gold, and instead discovered rhyolite stone in Castle Rock. The pink and gray volcanic rock put Castle Rock on the map and was used to construct some of the town’s earliest buildings, like downtown’s Castle Café that’s known for its famous pan-fried chicken.
Today, Castle Rock’s downtown is a happening destination where people go shopping, enjoy alfresco dining (think B&B Cafe!), meet for drinks and catch live music. Neighbors come together for outdoor movies, summer concerts and Oktoberfest celebrations.
For those who want to be in the heart of downtown, residential options include the Riverwalk Apartments and the Plum Creek neighborhood that is within walking distance of downtown.
“The quaint downtown has a mix of charming old buildings, upscale dining and boutique shops – all with a view of the town’s namesake Castle Rock.”
Luke Lofman
Remote workers will also find plenty of coffee shops in downtown Castle Rock, and Craft Coworking offers great amenities like Peloton bikes and treadmills as well as high-speed Wi-Fi and spacious meeting rooms.
Luke Lofman, who moved from Dallas, Texas, to Castle Rock in summer 2022, works for Petra Capital Properties out of a Craft Coworking office space.
Lofman says he appreciates all that Castle Rock has to offer, from the professional work environment to the nearby hiking trails he enjoys with his family on the weekends and a town that’s as charming as a Hallmark movie. (Speaking of idyllic, did we mention that there’s a Starlighting tradition each year leading up to the holidays?)
“The quaint downtown has a mix of charming old buildings, upscale dining and boutique shops – all with a view of the town’s namesake Castle Rock,” Lofman says.
Foothills Living at Its Finest
For outdoorsy residents, Castle Rock beckons with its over 50 developed parks, 6,700 acres of open space and nearly 110 miles of open trails, plus easy access to Roxborough State Park, a popular hiking and wildlife viewing spot that’s filled with red rock formations that jut into the blue skies.
Neighborhoods like The Meadows, Castlewood Ranch, Crystal Valley and Red Hawk Ridge offer wide open spaces with good views. And if you’re looking to meet people to share your surroundings with, places like RNK Running and Walking and Ubergrippen Indoor Climbing Crag host classes and events that make it easy to find friends with similar interests.
Dawn Gabriel, CEO of Authentic Connections Counseling, moved to Castle Rock a decade ago, starting and growing her business here. She loves that the high-elevation town with abundant trails “makes you feel like you’re in the mountains.”
A mom to two boys, Gabriel appreciates Castle Rock’s backyard playground, including the looped, single-track trail that leads to the plateau summit of the town’s namesake rock to the Challenge Hill at Philip S. Miller Park, a scenic 200-stair route, and nearby Castlewood Canyon.
Her favorite way to spend a weekend, she says, is to shop at the farmers market, take an afternoon hike near town and grab a bite to eat at Ecclesia, an artisan food collective.
“Despite having a population of more than 80,000, Castle Rock has a small-town feel but with big-city amenities,” Gabriel says.
Get Ready for Plenty of Live Music in Castle Rock
If you’re looking for live music, mark your calendars for May, June, July and August when five top musical events arrive in downtown Castle Rock – four staged at Festival Park and one at Wilcox Square.
Warm weather months are celebrated in downtown Castle Rock with the Spring Kickoff Concert at Festival Park, a late May event highlighted by live bands, food trucks, face painters, bounce houses and a brewery tent.
Then, on every Wednesday evening throughout July, the Rockin’ Summer Music in the Park series features musicians who entertain for free. The event takes place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Festival Park.
On a Friday and Saturday in the middle of June, the annual Car Show Weekend Street Party & Concert arrives in Wilcox Square with a free Friday night concert and a 300-car Saturday vintage auto show. In late July, Boots & Brews takes place at Festival Park with live bands, food trucks, beer, cocktails and opportunities to take an eight-second ride on a mechanical bull.
In mid-August, the annual Concert Under the Lights features four live bands from 6 to 10 p.m. at Festival Park. The event is free, and there are also food trucks, vendors, and beer and cocktail booths.
These celebrations are organized by the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce and the Castle Rock Downtown Merchants Association.
Get to Know Castle Rock
Want to learn more about living and working in Castle Rock, CO? Check out the latest edition of Livability Castle Rock, Colorado.