Week of October 20, 2026 · Ryan Davis

Halloween Week in the Rock: Boo Bashes, Glowing Gardens & Haunted Red Rocks

Heyo, neighbors!

It's Halloween week … which means the costumes are half-finished, the candy bowl is already half-empty (not me, I swear), and there's something going on almost every night from Castle Rock to downtown Denver. Here's my game plan for the week, plus one quick chore you'll thank me for in January.

But first, the important stuff … the Broncos beat the Seahawks in OVERTIME last Thursday night, in throwback uniforms, on a Wil Lutz walk-off field goal. If you heard a grown man yelling at his TV in Castle Rock, no you didn't. I don't know that guy.

Now, the weather. It's late October in Colorado, which means we should be digging out the snow shovels. Instead, the forecast says upper 60s to mid 70s all week with almost zero chance of rain. Shorts season has officially been extended. Your kids might not have to stuff their costumes over a winter coat this year, which, let's be honest, is the true Colorado Halloween tradition. Enjoy it, but don't get too comfortable. This is Colorado. We go from flip-flops to four inches of snow in about an afternoon.

That warm, dry stretch has a downside, though. Fire danger is still up, and the Town of Castle Rock pushed its fireworks show to November 11 because of it. So if you were planning to celebrate the Broncos win with a backyard fireworks finale … check the town's fire restrictions first. Save the sparkle for Starlighting.

Here's the headline that actually hits your wallet. Castle Rock's town council approved water rate increases that start January 1, 2027, with one more vote to make it official. For a typical household using about 8,000 gallons a month, the yearly bill goes from roughly $1,571 to about $1,647. Call it $76 more a year, or about $6 a month. Not the end of the world, but it's real. The town says the money goes to renewable water supplies, drought planning and aging infrastructure. There's also a new surcharge for the really heavy users, over 50,000 gallons in a month, which last year would have hit about 200 homes. If that's you … we need to talk about your lawn. 😆

My take? Water is the single most important resource we've got in Douglas County, and it's a big part of why people want to live here. Paying a little more to actually have it when the next dry year hits is a trade I'll take. It's also one more reason to get your sprinklers blown out the right way this fall. That's the chore I mentioned, and it's below.

Over in Denver, the whole city is basically one big Halloween party for the next 11 days. Boo at the Zoo, glowing gardens, haunted houses, Red Rocks going full spooky … if you're bored this week, that's on you.

And Halloween falls on a Saturday this year. No school-night candy curfew. That means more trick-or-treaters, later nights and a whole lot of little goblins crossing the street in the dark. Slow down in the neighborhoods, turn your porch light on if you're handing out the good stuff, and for the love of all things sweet … no raisins.

Alright, let's get into it.

This Week in the Rock & Beyond

Douglas County Scoreboard

Ryan & CO Events

Ryan's Home Tip of the Week

Dad Joke of the Week

The Market Minute

The 30-year fixed rate averaged 7.40% last week (Freddie Mac), and there are more homes for sale across the metro than any September since 2011. Translation: buyers have leverage, and sellers need a real pricing plan. Full breakdown in my monthly Market Report →

Castle Rock Corner

Have a safe and spooky week, neighbors.

Wake Up & Be Awesome,

Ryan