Castle Rock Council Approves 35-Acre Open Space Purchase Plan

The Town of Castle Rock on Jan. 7 posted a council update summarizing actions taken at the Jan. 6, 2026 council meeting, chief among them the approval of a resolution to purchase roughly 35 acres next to Lost Canyon Ranch to be held for future open space. Council members also conducted a review of the proposed 2026 budget and reviewed associated capital projects, alongside routine council business.

The land purchase decision signals the town’s intent to add to its inventory of preserved open space. Located adjacent to Lost Canyon Ranch, the parcel was identified in the council update as intended for future open space use. Preserving this acreage is likely to influence recreational access, trail connectivity, and conservation of local habitat, elements that matter to residents who use and value Douglas County’s outdoor amenities.

Council discussion also turned to the draft 2026 budget and related capital projects. The review phase is part of the municipal budget process that sets funding priorities for infrastructure, public safety, parks, and other local services. Residents interested in the fine-grained details of spending plans and project timelines were directed to the council update page, which links to meeting materials and recordings from the Jan. 6 meeting for those who want full transparency or who missed the session.

Parks & Recreation material published alongside the council update included community programming notes and the announcement of the Winter Ball/Trollstice event. Such seasonal programming underscores the town’s ongoing efforts to maintain community events even as officials plan for larger capital and land-use priorities.

The update also covered a range of routine council business items, and the town made the full packet of documents and the meeting video available online. Posted on the Town of Castle Rock’s news and announcements pages on Jan. 7, the materials provide residents the opportunity to review motions, resolutions, and staff presentations in full.

Locally, the decision to secure 35 acres for future open space reflects broader choices facing growing communities: balancing development pressures with conservation goals. For residents, the immediate implications include potential new protected lands near Lost Canyon Ranch and an open budget-review period as officials refine 2026 spending and project plans. Residents seeking more information can consult the council update and meeting recordings posted by the town.