View source for Castle Rock, Colorado

{{Short description|Home-rule town in Douglas County, Colorado, USA}}
{{about|the city|the butte|Castle Rock (Colorado)}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{infobox settlement
|name                     = Castle Rock, Colorado
|settlement_type          = [[List of municipalities in Colorado#Home rule municipality|home rule town]]<ref name=COMun>{{cite web|url=https://dola.colorado.gov/dlg_lgis_ui_pu/publicMunicipalities.jsf|title=Active Colorado Municipalities|publisher=[[Colorado Department of Local Affairs]]|access-date=May 10, 2025}}</ref>
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = 
<!-- Images --------------->
|image_skyline            = Castle Rock, CO.jpg
|image_caption            = Looking down Wilcox Street (2018)
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = 
<!-- Maps ----------------->
|image_map                = Douglas County Colorado Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Castle Rock Highlighted 0812415.svg
|map_caption              = Location within [[Douglas County, Colorado|Douglas County]] and [[Colorado]]
<!-- Pushpin map -->
|pushpin_map             = USA#USA Colorado
|pushpin_relief          = 
|pushpin_label           = Castle Rock
|pushpin_label_position  = right
|pushpin_map_caption     = Location of Castle Rock
<!-- Location -->
|coordinates             = {{coord|39.3722|-104.8561|type:city_region:US-CO_source:GNIS-169449|name=Castle Rock, Colorado|display=it}}
|coordinates_footnotes   = <ref name=GNIS>{{cite gnis|id=169449|name=Castle Rock, Colorado|access-date=May 10, 2025}}</ref>
|elevation_ft            = 6224
|elevation_footnotes     = <ref name=GNIS/>
|subdivision_type        = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name        = [[United States]]
|subdivision_type1       = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1       = [[Colorado]]
|subdivision_type2       = [[List of counties in Colorado|County]]
|subdivision_name2       = [[Douglas County, Colorado|Douglas]]<ref name=COcounty>{{cite web|url=https://dola.colorado.gov/dlg_lgis_ui_pu/publicCounties.jsf|title=Colorado Counties|publisher=[[Colorado Department of Local Affairs]]|access-date=May 10, 2025}}</ref>
<!-- Government ----------->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = [[Colorado municipalities#Home rule municipality|home rule town]]
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1874
|established_title1       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date1        = April 14, 1881
|named_for                = 
<!-- Area ----------------->
|unit_pref                = US
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023">{{cite web|title=2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2023_Gazetteer/2023_gaz_place_08.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=July 24, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 89.981
|area_land_km2            = 89.981
|area_water_km2           = 0.000
|area_total_sq_mi         = 34.742
|area_land_sq_mi          = 34.742
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.000
<!-- Population ----------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=February 9, 2024|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=February 9, 2024}}</ref>
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
|population_total         = 73158
|population_density_km2   = 891.19
|population_density_sq_mi = 2308.19
|population_rank          = US: 445th<br>CO: [[List of municipalities in Colorado|14th]]
|population_urban         = 2686147 (US: [[List of United States urban areas|18th]])
|population_metro         = 2985871 (US: [[Metropolitan statistical area|19th]])
|population_blank1_title  = [[Combined Statistical Area|Combined]]
|population_blank1        = 3663515 (US: [[Combined statistical area|18th]])
|population_blank2_title  = [[Front Range urban corridor|Front Range]]
|population_blank2        = 5055344
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                = [[Mountain Time Zone|MST]]
|utc_offset              = −07:00
|timezone_DST            = [[Mountain Time Zone|MDT]]
|utc_offset_DST          = −06:00
<!-- Area, postal, and other codes -->
|postal_code_type        = [[ZIP code]]<ref name=ZIPcode>{{cite web|url=https://tools.usps.com/zip-code-lookup.htm?bycitystate|title=ZIP Code Lookup|publisher=[[United States Postal Service]]|access-date=May 10, 2025}}</ref>
|postal_code             = 80104, 80108, 80109
|area_code_type          = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area codes]]
|area_code               = [[Area codes 303, 720, and 983|303/720/983]]
|blank_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS pop ID]]
|blank_info              = {{GNIS 4|169449}}
|blank1_name             = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS town ID]]
|blank1_info             = {{GNIS 4|2413179}}
|blank2_name             = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
|blank2_info             = {{FIPS|08|12415}}
|website                 = {{URL|https://www.crgov.com/|crgov.com}}
}}

'''Castle Rock''' is a [[List of municipalities in Colorado#Home rule municipality|home rule town]] that is the [[county seat]] of and the [[List of municipalities in Colorado|most-populous municipality]] in [[Douglas County, Colorado]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|archive-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Town Charter {{!}} Castle Rock, CO - Official Website |url=https://www.crgov.com/2507/Town-Charter |access-date=2025-10-02 |website=www.crgov.com}}</ref> The town’s population was 73,158 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Castle_Rock_town,_Colorado?g=160XX00US0812415 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=February 9, 2024}}</ref> a 51.68% increase since the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]]. Castle Rock is the most-populous Colorado town (rather than city) and the 14th-most populous Colorado municipality. Castle Rock is a part of the [[Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area|Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO metropolitan statistical area]] and the [[Front Range urban corridor]].

The town is named for the [[Castle Rock (Colorado)|prominent, castle-shaped butte]] near the center of town.<ref>{{cite book|last=Dawson|first=John Frank|title=Place names in Colorado: why 700 communities were so named, 150 of Spanish or Indian origin|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015051116740;view=1up;seq=19|year=1954|publisher=The J. Frank Dawson Publishing Co.|location=Denver, CO|page=13}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Rocky Mountain Views - Castle Rock.jpg|left|thumb|The Denver and Rio Grande Railway's Castle Rock depot (1917)]]

White settlers were drawn to the area by rumors of gold and by land opened through the [[Homestead Act of 1862]]. The discovery of [[rhyolite]] stone, though, not gold, ultimately led to the settlement of Castle Rock.

Castle Rock was founded in 1874 when the eastern Douglas County border was redrawn to its present location. Castle Rock was chosen as the county seat because of its central location.

One of the first homesteaders in the area near today's Castle Rock was Jeremiah Gould. He owned about {{convert|160|acre|km2}} to the south of "the (Castle) Rock". At that time, the settlement consisted of just a few buildings for prospectors, workers, and cowboys. In 1874, Gould donated {{convert|120|acre|km2}} to the new town, which was also now home to the Douglas County government. Six streets named Elbert, Jerry, Wilcox, Perry, Castle, and Front were laid out to build the actual town of Castle Rock. The courthouse square was defined and about 77 lots, each {{convert|50|by|112|ft|m|abbr=on}}, were auctioned off for a total profit of [[US$]]3,400.

A new train depot brought the [[Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad|Denver and Rio Grande Railway]] to the area.

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Castle Rock had a very active rhyolite-quarrying industry. Many immigrants arrived in the area to work in the quarries.

In 1936, the town received a donation of land that included its namesake geographical feature. Men employed by the [[Works Progress Administration]] constructed a star atop the butte shortly after Castle Rock received that donation. The star was lit every year from 1936 to 1941. After World War II began, the star was left unlit as a symbol of sacrifice in support of the war effort. On August 14, 1945, shortly after [[Victory over Japan Day|V-J Day]], the star was modified into a V-for-victory symbol. On December 7, 1945, the star was lit for the holiday season. It has been lit every year since around the same time.

The town's historic county courthouse, which was built in 1889–1890, burned down on March 11, 1978, the result of arson.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dage-Ruby |first1=Susan |title=Memories of a nighttime blaze: Courthouse fire marked end of era |url=https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/stories/memories-of-a-nighttime-blaze-courthouse-fire-marked-end-of-era,127147? |access-date=February 8, 2020 |publisher=Colorado Community Media |date=March 8, 2003}}</ref>

Castle Rock's municipal government experienced significant financial difficulties during the early 1980s. In 1984, the town's voters approved a charter amendment that authorized the creation of a [[Home rule in the United States|home-rule]] charter commission. The home-rule charter was finalized in 1987.<ref>{{cite web |title=Charter Commission – Certificate of Final Adoption |url=https://library.municode.com/co/castle_rock/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=CHTOCAROCO_CHTR_COMMISSIONCEFIAD |website=Town of Castle Rock |access-date=February 8, 2020}}</ref>

The original Douglas County courthouse was one of seven buildings in Castle Rock that have been added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. The other buildings include [[Castle Rock Depot]], Castle Rock Elementary School, First National Bank of Douglas County, Samuel Dyer House, Benjamin Hammer House, and Keystone Hotel.

A dispute about whether the Castle Rock Police Department was required to enforce a civil restraining order was decided by the [[Supreme Court of the United States|U.S. Supreme Court]] in 2005. The court held, in ''[[Town of Castle Rock v. Gonzales]]'', that a municipality cannot be held liable under a federal civil-rights statute, [[Third Enforcement Act|42 U.S.C. §&nbsp;1983]], for failing to enforce civil restraining orders. The case had arisen from a 1999 murder of three young girls by their father outside the Castle Rock Police Department building. The children were killed by their father, in violation of the restraining order that had been obtained by their mother, within several hours of being abducted.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kenworthy |first1=Tom |title=3 Children Dead in Gunman's Truck |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/06/24/3-children-dead-in-gunmans-truck/fef5c242-feee-461c-881a-e83700fe870b/ |access-date=February 8, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 24, 1999}}</ref> The mother had asked the Castle Rock police to enforce the restraining order by finding and apprehending the father after he removed the children from her home and before the murders. Castle Rock police officers declined to do so, refusing even to contact the Denver Police Department after the mother notified them that the father had taken the children to an amusement park in that city.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Greenhouse |first1=Linda |title=Justices Rule Police Do Not Have a Constitutional Duty to Protect Someone |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/28/politics/justices-rule-police-do-not-have-a-constitutional-duty-to-protect.html |website=The New York Times |date=June 28, 2005 |access-date=February 9, 2020}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Castle Rock butte in Castle Rock Colorado.JPG|thumb|left|200px|The town of Castle Rock is named after this prominent castle tower-shaped butte.]]
Castle Rock is located at {{Coord|39|22|20|N|104|51|22|W|type:city}} (39.372212, −104.856090) at an elevation of 6,224 feet (1,897 m).<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212191832/http://geonames.usgs.gov/|archive-date=February 12, 2012}}</ref> Castle Rock is in central Colorado at the junction of [[Interstate 25 in Colorado|Interstate 25]] and [[State Highway 86 (Colorado)|State Highway 86]], {{convert|28|mi|abbr=on}} south of downtown Denver and {{convert|37|mi|abbr=on}} north of Colorado Springs.<ref name="City Distance Tool">{{cite web |title=City Distance Tool |publisher=[[Geobytes]] |url=http://www.geobytes.com/citydistancetool.htm |access-date=October 3, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005175701/http://geobytes.com/CityDistanceTool.htm |archive-date=October 5, 2010}}</ref>

The town lies a few miles east of the [[Rampart Range]] of the [[Rocky Mountains]] on the western edge of the [[Great Plains]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Physiographic provinces of Colorado |publisher=Colorado Geological Survey |url=http://geosurvey.state.co.us/geology/topography/Pages/Physiographic.aspx |access-date=October 3, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524151250/http://geosurvey.state.co.us/geology/topography/Pages/Physiographic.aspx |archive-date=May 24, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Map of Major Topographic Features in Colorado |publisher=Colorado Geological Survey |url=http://geosurvey.state.co.us/geology/topography/Pages/TopographicFeatures.aspx |access-date=October 3, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004221737/http://geosurvey.state.co.us/geology/topography/Pages/TopographicFeatures.aspx |archive-date=October 4, 2013}}</ref> Castle Rock, the butte for which the town is named, is just north of the town center.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Castle Rock |publisher=Town of Castle Rock, Colorado |url=http://www.crgov.com/index.aspx?nid=680 |access-date=October 3, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004222332/http://www.crgov.com/index.aspx?nid=680 |archive-date=October 4, 2013}}</ref> Other prominent landforms visible from Castle Rock include [[Dawson Butte]], [[Devils Head (summit)|Devils Head]], [[Mount Blue Sky]], and [[Pikes Peak]].

East Plum Creek, a stream within the [[South Platte River]] watershed, flows generally north through Castle Rock. Hangman's Gulch, which runs northwest then west around the north side of the town center, drains into East Plum Creek, as do multiple unnamed gulches in the southern and western areas of town. McMurdo Gulch and Mitchell Gulch run north then northeast through eastern Castle Rock and drain into [[Cherry Creek (Colorado)|Cherry Creek]] east of town.<ref name=CDOT>{{cite web |title=Castle Rock (map) |publisher=[[Colorado Department of Transportation]] |date=September 11, 2012 |url=http://dtdapps.coloradodot.info/staticdata/Downloads/CityMaps/Castle%20Rock.pdf |access-date=October 3, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005000419/http://dtdapps.coloradodot.info/staticdata/Downloads/CityMaps/Castle%20Rock.pdf |archive-date=October 5, 2013}}</ref>

Castle Rock is in the Colorado Foothills life zone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shelledy.mesa.k12.co.us/staff/computerlab/ColoradoLifeZones_Interactive_Diagram_Elevation.html|title=Life Zones Interactive Diagram|website=shelledy.mesa.k12.co.us|access-date=April 29, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909094819/http://shelledy.mesa.k12.co.us/staff/computerlab/ColoradoLifeZones_Interactive_Diagram_Elevation.html|archive-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref> The hillsides are covered with meadows of grass, small plants, scattered juniper trees, and open [[ponderosa pine]] woodlands. Other trees common in the area include [[Gambel oak]] (scrub oak or oak brush) and [[pinyon pine]]. Local wildlife includes the [[American badger]], [[American black bear]], [[bobcat]], [[coyote]], [[Colorado chipmunk]], [[crow]], [[garter snakes]], [[gray fox]], mountain [[cottontail rabbit]], [[mountain lion]], [[mule deer]], [[pocket gopher]], [[porcupine]], [[skunk]], and [[tadpoles]]. Birds found in the area include the [[golden eagle]], [[peregrine falcon]], [[sharp-shinned hawk]], [[black-billed magpie]], [[red-tailed hawk]], [[pinyon jay]], and [[western tanager]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shelledy.mesa.k12.co.us/staff/computerlab/ColoradoLifeZones_Foothills.htm|title=Foothills Life Zones General Information|website=shelledy.mesa.k12.co.us|access-date=April 29, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917120615/http://shelledy.mesa.k12.co.us/staff/computerlab/ColoradoLifeZones_Foothills.htm|archive-date=September 17, 2017}}</ref>

The town had a total area of {{convert|89.981|km2|acre|order=flip}}, all land in 2023.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023"/>

Lying within the [[Front Range urban corridor]], the town is part of the greater [[Denver–Aurora–Boulder Combined Statistical Area|Denver metropolitan area]].<ref>{{cite web|title=OMB Bulletin No. 13-01 |date=February 28, 2013 |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/omb/bulletins/2013/b-13-01.pdf |access-date=October 17, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207113057/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/omb/bulletins/2013/b-13-01.pdf |via=[[NARA|National Archives]] |work=[[Office of Management and Budget]] |archive-date=February 7, 2017}}</ref> Castle Rock borders three communities, all to its north; from west to east, they are [[Castle Pines Village, Colorado|Castle Pines Village]], the city of [[Castle Pines, Colorado|Castle Pines]], and [[The Pinery, Colorado|The Pinery]].<ref name=CensusMap>{{cite web |title=Colorado: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |date=August 1, 2012 |url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-7.pdf |access-date=October 17, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109081313/http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-7.pdf |archive-date=January 9, 2014}}</ref><ref name=CountyMap>{{cite web |title=Douglas County [Map] |publisher=[[Colorado Department of Transportation]] |date=July 30, 2012 |url=http://dtdapps.coloradodot.info/staticdata/Downloads/CountyMaps/DOUGLAS.pdf |access-date=October 17, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927185122/http://dtdapps.coloradodot.info/staticdata/Downloads/CountyMaps/Douglas.pdf |archive-date=September 27, 2013}}</ref> Other nearby communities include [[Franktown, Colorado|Franktown]] to the east, [[Larkspur, Colorado|Larkspur]] to the south, [[Perry Park, Colorado|Perry Park]] to the southwest, and [[Sedalia, Colorado|Sedalia]] to the northwest.<ref name=CensusMap />

===Climate===
Castle Rock has a [[semiarid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''BSk'') with cold, dry, snowy winters, and hot, wetter summers. January is the coldest month, July the hottest, and August the month with the most precipitation.

{{Weather box
|location = Castle Rock, Colorado, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = yes
|Jan record high F = 73
|Feb record high F = 75
|Mar record high F = 82
|Apr record high F = 91
|May record high F = 94
|Jun record high F = 101
|Jul record high F = 102
|Aug record high F = 99
|Sep record high F = 101
|Oct record high F = 88
|Nov record high F = 85
|Dec record high F = 82

|Jan avg record high F = 64.5
|Feb avg record high F = 64.6
|Mar avg record high F = 72.8
|Apr avg record high F = 77.7
|May avg record high F = 84.9
|Jun avg record high F = 92.7
|Jul avg record high F = 95.3
|Aug avg record high F = 92.8
|Sep avg record high F = 89.6
|Oct avg record high F = 82.1
|Nov avg record high F = 72.8
|Dec avg record high F = 65.3
|year avg record high F = 96.1

|Jan high F = 45.6
|Feb high F = 46.7
|Mar high F = 53.8
|Apr high F = 59.1
|May high F = 68.4
|Jun high F = 80.2
|Jul high F = 85.7
|Aug high F = 83.6
|Sep high F = 76.7
|Oct high F = 64.8
|Nov high F = 53.9
|Dec high F = 45.7
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 31.8
|Feb mean F = 33.3
|Mar mean F = 40.2
|Apr mean F = 45.8
|May mean F = 55.0
|Jun mean F = 65.3
|Jul mean F = 71.1
|Aug mean F = 69.1
|Sep mean F = 61.7
|Oct mean F = 49.7
|Nov mean F = 39.8
|Dec mean F = 31.8
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 18.0
|Feb low F = 19.9
|Mar low F = 26.5
|Apr low F = 32.5
|May low F = 41.6
|Jun low F = 50.5
|Jul low F = 56.4
|Aug low F = 54.7
|Sep low F = 46.6
|Oct low F = 34.6
|Nov low F = 25.7
|Dec low F = 18.0
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = -4.0
|Feb avg record low F = -3.4
|Mar avg record low F = 6.6
|Apr avg record low F = 15.7
|May avg record low F = 27.2
|Jun avg record low F = 38.5
|Jul avg record low F = 48.2
|Aug avg record low F = 45.6
|Sep avg record low F = 32.1
|Oct avg record low F = 16.7
|Nov avg record low F = 3.6
|Dec avg record low F = -3.0
|year avg record low F = -9.5

|Jan record low F = -37
|Feb record low F = -32
|Mar record low F = -20
|Apr record low F = -8
|May record low F = 7
|Jun record low F = 25
|Jul record low F = 30
|Aug record low F = 34
|Sep record low F = 11
|Oct record low F = -5
|Nov record low F = -18
|Dec record low F = -29

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.55
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.70
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.54
|Apr precipitation inch = 2.08
|May precipitation inch = 1.97
|Jun precipitation inch = 2.20
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.32
|Aug precipitation inch = 2.52
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.39
|Oct precipitation inch = 0.85
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.79
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.69
|year precipitation inch = 17.60

|Jan snow inch = 8.0
|Feb snow inch = 10.7
|Mar snow inch = 10.7
|Apr snow inch = 8.3
|May snow inch = 1.1
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.4
|Oct snow inch = 2.7
|Nov snow inch = 6.7
|Dec snow inch = 8.9
|year snow inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 4.1
|Feb precipitation days = 4.9
|Mar precipitation days = 5.0
|Apr precipitation days = 6.4
|May precipitation days = 8.3
|Jun precipitation days = 7.7
|Jul precipitation days = 8.3
|Aug precipitation days = 10.1
|Sep precipitation days = 5.8
|Oct precipitation days = 4.4
|Nov precipitation days = 4.1
|Dec precipitation days = 4.6

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 3.6
|Feb snow days = 4.1
|Mar snow days = 3.3
|Apr snow days = 3.1
|May snow days = 0.6
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.3
|Oct snow days = 1.0
|Nov snow days = 2.7
|Dec snow days = 4.3
|year snow days = 23.0

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name=NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00051401&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access
|access-date = August 8, 2022
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=bou
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data
|access-date = August 8, 2022
}}
</ref>
}}

Statewide, Colorado has experienced an average temperature increase of about {{convert|2.5|F-change}} over the past half-century.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lukas |first1=Jeff |title=Climate Change in Colorado: A Synthesis to Support Water Resources Management and Adaptation (2d ed., 2014) |url=https://wwa.colorado.edu/climate/co2014report/Climate_Change_CO_Report_2014_FINAL.pdf |website=wwa.colorado.edu |publisher=University of Colorado Boulder |access-date=December 31, 2019}}</ref> Given its location in the center of the state, Castle Rock is expected to experience continuing warming and higher average temperatures through the 21st century, as the effects of climate change continue to be felt. Daily minimum temperatures are also expected to continue rising, as they have for the past 30 years.

===Neighborhoods===
Castle Rock's ZIP codes include many neighborhoods:

{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
'''North of Downtown / West of I-25'''
* [[The Meadows, Castle Rock, Colorado|The Meadows]]
* [[Castle Pines Village]]
{{col-break}}
{{col-end}}

Castle Rock encompasses about {{convert|35|sqmi|km2}}, with a population of more than 73,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crgov.com|title=Castle Rock, CO - Official Website|work=crgov.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202040334/http://www.crgov.com/|archive-date=February 2, 2016}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1880 = 88
| 1890 = 315
| 1900 = 304
| 1910 = 365
| 1920 = 461
| 1930 = 478
| 1940 = 580
| 1950 = 741
| 1960 = 1152
| 1970 = 1531
| 1980 = 3921
| 1990 = 8708
| 2000 = 20224
| 2010 = 48231
| 2020 = 73158
| estyear = 2024
| estimate = 83213
| estref = <ref name="US Census Bureau City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2024">{{cite web | url= https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html#v2024| title=US Census Bureau City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2024|website=census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 15, 2025}}</ref>
| align-fn = center
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]],  48,231 people, 16,688 households, and 12,974 families were residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|1,526.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The 17,626 housing units had an average density of {{convert|557.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 90.7% [[White American|White]], 1.7% [[Asian American|Asian]], 1.1% [[African American]], 0.6% [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islander]], 2.9% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanics and Latinos]] of any race were 10.0% of the population.

Of the 16,688 households, 48.4% had children under 18 living with them, 65.4% were married couples living together, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% were not families. About 17.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.0% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.86, and the average family size was 3.27.

In the town, the age distribution was 32.4% under 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 6.2% who were 65 or older. The median age was 33.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 95.5 males 18 and over.

The median income for a household in the town was $85,461, and for a family was $95,973. Males had a median income of $66,993 versus $47,087 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $34,089. About 4.0% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 8.2% of those under 18 and 6.2% of those 65 or over.

Castle Rock is the [[Colorado municipalities by population|16th-most populous municipality]] in Colorado and is the center of the burgeoning [[urbanization]] of the county.
{{clear|left}}

==Economy==
Because of its Front Range location between Denver and its inner suburbs and Colorado Springs, many of Castle Rock's residents commute nearly 40 miles to southern [[Colorado Springs]] on [[Interstate 25 in Colorado|I-25]] or the [[Denver Technological Center]], better known as the Denver Tech Center, which is an 18-mile drive north, with downtown [[Denver]] roughly 30 miles north, and [[Denver International Airport]] about 45 miles north.

About 80% of Castle Rock residents commute out of town to work.<ref name="Denver Post">{{cite web |last1=Rubino |first1=Joe |title=As Castle Rock looks to evolve beyond a bedroom community, the old town dump will be key |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2019/06/13/castle-rock-douglas-county-growth/ |website=Denver Post |access-date=February 9, 2020}}</ref> The average one-way commute time for a Castle Rock resident is about 29 minutes, longer than the U.S. average.<ref>{{cite web |title=Commuting in Castle Rock, Colorado |url=https://www.bestplaces.net/transportation/city/colorado/castle_rock |website=Castle Rock, Colorado |publisher=Sperling's Best Places |access-date=February 9, 2020}}</ref> One reason for this is that the town has not yet attracted the variety or extent of employers needed to significantly lower the number of commuters to work outside Castle Rock. The town has relatively little land zoned for industrial or light industrial use, with the vast majority of the land within town limits dedicated to residential construction only.<ref>{{cite web |title=Future Land Use Plan |url=http://www.crgov.com/DocumentCenter/View/12776/Future_Land_Use_Plan |website=Town of Castle Rock, Colorado |access-date=February 9, 2020}}</ref>

As of 2011, 78.2% of the population over the age of 16 was in the labor force, 0.4% was in the armed forces, and 77.7% was in the civilian labor force, with 72.6% employed and 5.1% unemployed. The employed civilian labor force was 48.0% in management, business, science, and arts; 25.8% in sales and office occupations; 14.7% in service occupations; 6.4% in natural resources, construction, and maintenance; and 5.2% in production, transportation, and material moving. The three industries employing the largest proportion of the working civilian labor force were educational services, health care, and social assistance (15.5%); professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services (13.2%); and finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing (12.6%).

Castle Rock's cost of living is above average. Compared to a U.S. average of 100, the cost of living index for the town is 137.2.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cost of Living in Castle Rock, Colorado |url=https://www.bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/city/colorado/castle_rock |website=Castle Rock, Colorado |publisher=Sperling's Best Places |access-date=February 9, 2020}}</ref>

As of mid-2019, the median home value in the town was $427,537.<ref name="Denver Post"/> The median gross monthly rent for an apartment was about $1,461.<ref>{{cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Castle Rock town, Colorado|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/castlerocktowncolorado}}</ref>

The town's housing base continues to grow. About 1,400 permits to build new homes were issued in 2018.<ref name="Denver Post"/>

==Government and politics==
[[Image:Castle Rock, CO, Town Hall IMG 5204.JPG|thumb|200px|Castle Rock Town Hall (2010)]]
Castle Rock is a [[Colorado municipalities#Home rule municipality|home-rule municipality]] with a [[Council–manager government|council–manager]] form of government. The town's governing body is the town council, made up of seven members including the mayor and mayor pro-tem.<ref name="crgov.com">{{Cite web|url=https://crgov.com/1936/Town-Council|title=Town Council {{!}} Castle Rock, CO - Official Website|website=crgov.com|access-date=September 4, 2019}}</ref> Each councilmember is elected to represent an election district, and the mayor is elected to represent the town at large.<ref name="crgov.com"/> One member, appointed by the council, serves as the mayor pro-tem.<ref name="Municode Library">{{Cite web|url=https://library.municode.com/co/castle_rock/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=CHTOCAROCO_ARTIITOCO_S2-5MA|title=Municode Library|website=library.municode.com|access-date=September 4, 2019}}</ref> Castle Rock voters approved a change to the town charter that authorized an at-large mayor in 2017.

The mayor presides over council meetings and casts one vote, like other councilmembers.<ref name="Municode Library"/> The council sets policy for the town, adopts ordinances, approves the town budget, makes major land-use decisions, and appoints key town government staff, including the [[city manager|town manager]], [[city attorney|town attorney]], municipal judge, and members of town boards and commissions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Town Government |publisher=Town of Castle Rock |url=http://crgov.com/ |access-date=April 13, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414224849/http://www.crgov.com/ |archive-date=April 14, 2016}}</ref>

The town manager supervises all departments, prepares and implements the town budget, and works with the council to develop policies and propose new plans.<ref>{{cite web |title=Town Manager's Office |publisher=Town of Castle Rock |url=http://www.crgov.com/1939/Town-Manager |access-date=April 13, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417215657/http://crgov.com/1939/Town-Manager |archive-date=April 17, 2016}}</ref>

Tax revenues are used to provide general government, fire, police, parks maintenance and programs, street maintenance and operations, support for recreation, and planning and code enforcement services. The town also provides development services, golf, water, and sewer services to residents through self-supporting enterprise funds. The average annual municipal property tax bill of a Castle Rock resident is $40.66.<ref>{{cite web |title=Your Tax Dollars at Work |url=https://www.crgov.com/1979/Property-Tax-Calculator |website=Town of Castle Rock, Colorado |access-date=February 9, 2020}}</ref> That is in addition to property taxes assessed by Douglas County and other entities.

As the [[county seat]], Castle Rock is the administrative center of Douglas County. The county courthouse, the Douglas County Justice Center, is north of downtown, and most departments of the county government base their operations in the town.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Locations |publisher=Douglas County Government |url=http://www.douglas.co.us/government/our-locations/ |access-date=October 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027185320/http://www.douglas.co.us/government/our-locations/ |archive-date=October 27, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Departments |publisher=Douglas County Government |url=http://www.douglas.co.us/government/departments/ |access-date=October 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027212609/http://www.douglas.co.us/government/departments/ |archive-date=October 27, 2013}}</ref>

{{As of|2013}}, Castle Rock lies within [[Colorado's 4th congressional district|Colorado's 4th U.S. Congressional District]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Colorado - Congressional Districts |work=The National Atlas of the United States of America |publisher=[[U.S. Geological Survey]] |url=http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/pdf/congdist/pagecgd113_co.pdf |access-date=October 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201947/http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/pdf/congdist/pagecgd113_co.pdf |archive-date=October 29, 2013}}</ref> The town is in the 4th district of the [[Colorado Senate]] and the 45th district of the [[Colorado House of Representatives]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Colorado Webmaps - My Neighborhood |publisher=[[Government of Colorado]] |url=http://www.colorado.gov/esri/webmaps/my-hood.html |access-date=October 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103025731/http://www.colorado.gov/esri/webmaps/my-hood.html |archive-date=November 3, 2013}}</ref>

Castle Rock is the county seat of Douglas County, a Republican stronghold in Colorado.

==Education==

===Primary and secondary education===
[[Douglas County School District RE-1|Douglas County School District]], based in Castle Rock, operates 18 [[Public school (government funded)#United States|public schools]] in the town. These include 10 elementary schools, two middle schools, two charter schools, one magnet school, one [[Alternative school#United States|alternative high school]], and two high schools: [[Castle View High School]] and [[Douglas County High School (Castle Rock, Colorado)|Douglas County High School]].<ref>{{cite web|title=School Choice Selector |publisher=[[Douglas County School District]] |url=https://www.dcsdk12.org/schools/SchoolSelector/index.htm?SearchBy=City&City=Castle_Rock |access-date=October 19, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020131805/https://www.dcsdk12.org/schools/SchoolSelector/index.htm?SearchBy=City&City=Castle_Rock |archive-date=October 20, 2013}}</ref> In addition, there are three private primary schools in Castle Rock.<ref>{{cite web | title = Private Schools in Castle Rock | publisher = Greatschools | url = http://www.greatschools.org/colorado/castle-rock/schools/?st=private | access-date=October 19, 2013 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131020203428/http://www.greatschools.org/colorado/castle-rock/schools/?st=private | archive-date=October 20, 2013}}</ref>

School-board elections in Douglas County are held in odd-numbered years. In recent years, the community has experienced a spirited debate between supporters of significant change in the management of local schools and those who oppose such changes or believe they should advance at a slower pace.

===Libraries===
The [[Douglas County Libraries]] public library system is based in Castle Rock, co-located with the local branch library, the Philip S. Miller Library, south of downtown. The Miller Library includes archives and local history and offers several educational and recreational programs to the public.<ref>{{cite web|title=Philip S. Miller Library |publisher=[[Douglas County Libraries]] |url=http://douglascountylibraries.org/Locations/PhilipSMillerLibrary |access-date=October 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195436/http://douglascountylibraries.org/Locations/PhilipSMillerLibrary |archive-date=October 29, 2013}}</ref> Also, it includes [[Little Free Library]] places scattered throughout, such as in the festival park.{{Citation Needed|date=May 2025}}

==Infrastructure==

===Transportation===
[[Interstate 25]] and [[U.S. Route 87]] run concurrently north-south through Castle Rock. [[U.S. Route 85]], also a north-south route, enters the town from the northwest, meeting I-25 at Exit 184; south of the exit, it runs concurrently with I-25 and U.S. 87. [[State Highway 86 (Colorado)|Colorado State Highway 86]], an east-west route, enters Castle Rock from the east, then turns north and west as Founders Parkway, terminating at its junction with I-25 at Exit 184.<ref name=GoogleMaps>{{cite web | title = Castle Rock, CO | publisher = [[Google Maps]] | url = https://www.google.com/maps?q=Castle+Rock,+CO&hl=en&ll=39.390571,-104.834633&spn=0.086366,0.198269&sll=38.00482,-81.518555&sspn=5.634343,16.875&hnear=Castle+Rock,+Douglas,+Colorado&t=m&z=13 | access-date=November 20, 2013}}</ref>

For local transportation within Castle Rock, the town government sponsors a [[voucher]] program for reduced-fare taxi service. This service is available to town residents who are disabled or who do not have access to a vehicle. In addition, the Castle Rock Senior Center offers a shuttle service for resident senior citizens.<ref>{{cite web|title=Local Transportation |publisher=Town of Castle Rock |url=http://www.crgov.com/index.aspx?NID=1251 |access-date=November 20, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214155359/http://crgov.com/index.aspx?NID=1251 |archive-date=February 14, 2014}}</ref>

Castle Rock does not participate in the Denver metropolitan area's [[Regional Transportation District]]. Municipal voters decided in November 2005 to opt the town out of the district.<ref>{{cite web |title=Transportation Master Plan |url=https://www.crgov.com/1840/Transportation-Master-Plan |website=crgov.com |access-date=December 31, 2019}}</ref> As a result, neither bus nor light-rail service to Denver or any of its other suburbs is available from Castle Rock.

[[BNSF Railway]] and [[Union Pacific Railroad]] each have a freight rail line that runs through Castle Rock.<ref>{{cite web | title = Colorado Statewide Rail System 2012 [Map] | publisher = [[Colorado Department of Transportation]] | url = http://dtdapps.coloradodot.info/staticdata/Downloads/StatewideMaps/RailSystem.pdf | access-date=November 20, 2013 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131204103835/http://dtdapps.coloradodot.info/staticdata/Downloads/StatewideMaps/RailSystem.pdf |archive-date=December 4, 2013}}</ref> Both lines run parallel to U.S. 85.<ref name=CDOT/>

===Utilities and water===
CORE Electric Cooperative, based in nearby Sedalia, provides electric power. [[Black Hills Energy]] provides natural-gas service. [[Waste Management, Inc|Waste Management]] and other businesses provide trash removal.<ref>{{cite web|title=Utilities/Services |publisher=Town of Castle Rock |url=http://www.crgov.com/index.aspx?NID=528 |access-date=November 20, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006025749/http://www.crgov.com/index.aspx?NID=528 |archive-date=October 6, 2013}}</ref>

The town government's Utilities Department oversees water provision, distribution, and infrastructure maintenance.<ref>{{cite web|title=Utilities/Castle Rock Water |publisher=Town of Castle Rock |url=http://www.crgov.com/index.aspx?nid=68 |access-date=November 20, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908154408/http://crgov.com/index.aspx?nid=68 |archive-date=September 8, 2013}}</ref> Historically, nearly all of the water needed by Castle Rock residents was pumped from aquifers below the ground, including the [https://web.archive.org/web/20070714033846/http://geosurvey.state.co.us/wateratlas/chapter6_1page2.asp Denver Basin aquifer]. Beginning in 2013, when the town developed its first strategic plan for the management of water, Castle Rock has moved toward more use of surface water. Between 2006 and 2018, daily per capita water use in Castle Rock declined from 137 gallons to 115 gallons.<ref>{{cite web |title=Know Your Water |url=https://www.crconserve.com/31/Know-Your-Water |website=crconserve.com}}</ref>

Starting in 2020, Castle Rock expected to begin treating sink, tap, and toilet water to potable water quality standards so that it can be reused.<ref>{{cite web |title=Castle Rock to implement 'toilet to tap' surface water treatment system |url=https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/our-colorado/castle-rock-to-implement-toilet-to-tap-surface-water-treatment-system |website=thedenverchannel.com |date=February 21, 2019 |access-date=December 31, 2019}}</ref> The town aimed to achieve a goal of reliance upon renewable water resources for 75% of municipal needs by 2050 and, by 2020, about one-third of all water used in Castle Rock was expected to be from a reusable source.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gibbs |first1=Jessica |title=Castle Rock preparing to turn wastewater into drinking water |url=https://castlerocknewspress.net/stories/castle-rock-preparing-to-turn-wastewater-into-drinking-water,279529 |website=castlerocknewspress.net |access-date=December 31, 2019}}</ref>

As of July 2019 Castle Rock, Denver, and Pitkin County are the first three Colorado municipal or county governments to adopt a state [https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=6527&fileName=5%20CCR%201002-86 regulation] governing [[greywater]] reuse.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sakas |first1=Michael Elizabeth |title='Greywater' Could Help Solve Colorado's Water Problems. Why Aren't We All Using It? |url=https://www.cpr.org/2019/07/15/as-colorados-water-future-looks-ever-more-scarce-greywater-catches-on-in-spite-of-legal-hurdles/ |website=cpr.org |access-date=December 31, 2019}}</ref>

===Health care===
[[AdventHealth Castle Rock]] is the only hospital.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/adventhealth-bring-first-cancer-treatment-center-castle-rock/|title=AdventHealth to bring first cancer treatment center to Colorado town of Castle Rock|last=Young|first=Olivia|date=June 22, 2024|website=[[CBS Colorado]]|access-date=July 16, 2025}}</ref>

==Media==
{{See also|Media in Denver}}
Founded in 1895, Castle Rock News-Press is the only [[newspaper]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thepaperboy.com/newspaper.cfm?PaperID=-1412957455|title=Castle Rock News Press|website=Paperboy|access-date=July 17, 2025}}</ref>
Castle Rock is part of the Denver radio and television market. [[Radio station]] [[KJMN]] is [[city of license|licensed]] to Castle Rock, but broadcasts from Denver playing a [[Spanish language|Spanish]] [[adult hits]] format on 92.1 [[FM broadcasting|FM]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Station Information Profile | publisher = [[Arbitron]] | url = http://www.arbitron.com/radio_stations/station_information.htm | access-date=October 7, 2009 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060319201903/http://www.arbitron.com/radio_stations/station_information.htm | archive-date=March 19, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Contacto |publisher=Entravision Communications Corporation |url=http://www.denverse.com/contact.php |access-date=April 5, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090424072120/http://www.denverse.com/contact.php |archive-date=April 24, 2009}}</ref> Denver radio station [[KOA (AM)|850 KOA]], which broadcasts a [[news/talk]] and sports format, operates its 50,000-watt transmitter from a site 10 miles northeast of downtown Castle Rock, in the town of [[Parker, Colorado|Parker]]. Another Denver station, [[KAMP (AM)|KAMP]] (1430 AM), a [[CBS Sports Radio]] affiliate with a [[sports radio]] format, operates its transmitter from Highlands Ranch, 13 miles north of downtown Castle Rock.

[[NPR]] programming can be heard on [[Colorado Public Radio|Colorado Public Radio's]] [[KCFR-FM]]. Castle Rock is also served by the AM signal of [[KGNU]], a noncommercial affiliate of [[Public Radio International|PRI]], [[Pacifica Radio|Pacifica]], and the [[BBC World Service]], and which also provides diverse music programming.

[[Television station]] [[KETD]], an affiliate of the [[Estrella TV]] network, broadcasts on digital channel 46. Licensed to Castle Rock, the station is located near [[Centennial, Colorado]].<ref>{{cite web | title = TVQ TV Database Query | publisher = [[Federal Communications Commission]] | url = http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/audio/tvq.html | access-date=October 7, 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090508022231/http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/audio/tvq.html | archive-date=May 8, 2009}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
Castle Rock's [[Open space reserve|open space]] and parks comprise 27% the town's total land area ({{convert|5415|acre|km2}} of parks and open space / {{convert|20224|acre|km2}} total land area). Additionally, there are nearly {{convert|75|mi|km}} of soft-surface and paved trails.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crgov.com/1673/Parks-and-Recreation|title=Parks and Recreation - Castle Rock, CO - Official Website|website=www.crgov.com|access-date=April 29, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027212833/http://www.crgov.com/1673/Parks-and-Recreation|archive-date=October 27, 2017}}</ref>

==Culture==
[[Image:Castle Rock, CO, Museum IMG 5199.JPG|200px|thumb|[[Castle Rock Museum]] (2010)]]

===Points of interest===
Philip S. Miller Park is the largest park project in Castle Rock. "Phase One" of the park was opened to the public on October 25, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crgov.com/2051/Philip-S-Miller-Park|title=Philip S. Miller Park - Castle Rock, CO - Official Website|website=www.crgov.com|access-date=April 29, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109121943/http://www.crgov.com/2051/Philip-S-Miller-Park|archive-date=January 9, 2018}}</ref> The park is named after a local banker and philanthropist, who with his wife Jerry, left trust monies to Castle Rock in the mid-1990s. The Phillip S. Miller Activity Center is included in the park's 300 acres.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://co-castlerock2.civicplus.com/2049/Miller-Activity-Complex-MAC|title=Miller Activity Complex (MAC) - Castle Rock, CO - Official Website|website=co-castlerock2.civicplus.com|access-date=April 29, 2018}}</ref>

The Castle Rock Historical Museum is in the former [[Castle Rock Depot|Denver and Rio Grande Railway depot building]] on Elbert Street. This building is purported to have been built in 1875. It is made of rhyolite taken from local quarries. The museum depicts how Castle Rock has changed over the years.

===Sports===
From 1986 through 2006, a professional golf tournament was held in [[Castle Pines Village]]. [[The International (golf)|The International]], a [[PGA Tour]] event, was held in August at the Castle Pines Golf Club.

===Events===
====Castle Rock star lighting====
Since 1936, every Saturday before Thanksgiving, the Town of Castle Rock lights the {{convert|45|ft|m|adj=on}} electric star upon Castle Rock.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.douglascountyhistory.org/digital/collection/documents/id/73|title=History of the Castle Rock Star|website=www.douglascountyhistory.org|language=en|access-date=December 12, 2019}}</ref> A lighting event is held downtown that night and is usually accompanied by a fireworks display. The star remains lit from the week before Thanksgiving to the end of the National Western Stock Show in January. This has changed multiple times; following World War II, it was changed to a V, also, the same year as the [[Denver Broncos]] being in the Super Bowl, it was changed to orange and blue. Throughout part of the lockdown in early 2020 due to COVID-19, the star was relit as a symbol of unity.

==Notable people==
Notable individuals who were born in or have lived in Castle Rock include:
* [[Amy Adams]] (born 1974), actress<ref>{{cite web |title=Biography for Amy Adams |publisher=[[IMDb]] |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0010736/bio |access-date=September 29, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930154218/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0010736/bio |archive-date=September 30, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Kirsten Bomblies]] (born 1973), biologist<ref>{{cite web|title=Biography of Artist Kirsten Bomblies |publisher=Artists for Conservation |url=http://www.natureartists.com/artists/artist_biography.asp?ArtistID=322 |access-date=September 29, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604171838/http://www.natureartists.com/artists/artist_biography.asp?ArtistID=322 |archive-date=June 4, 2012}}</ref>
* [[Kat Cammack]] - United States Representative for Florida's 3rd Congressional District
* [[Jim Cottrell]] (born 1983), [[NFL]] [[linebacker]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Jimmy Cottrell Profile |publisher=[[Scout.com]] |url=http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=2161045 |access-date=September 29, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405102201/http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=2161045 |archive-date=April 5, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Jimmy Cottrell, LB |publisher=[[National Football League]] |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/jimmycottrell/2506841/profile |access-date=September 29, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014214959/http://www.nfl.com/player/jimmycottrell/2506841/profile |archive-date=October 14, 2012}}</ref>
* [[Gary Hallberg]] (born 1958), professional [[golf]]er<ref>{{cite news |last=Hanley |first=Reid |title=Sports Psychologist Helps Hallberg Stay Focused On Task At Hand |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1992/06/21/sports-psychologist-helps-hallberg-stay-focused-on-task-at-hand/ |access-date=September 29, 2011 |date=June 21, 1992 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20110929065856/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1992-06-21/sports/9202250162_1_barrington-green-gary-hallberg |archive-date=September 29, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Beth Malone]] (born 1969), actress<ref>{{cite web |title=bio – beth malone |publisher=[[Weebly]] |url=http://bethmalone.weebly.com/bio.html |access-date=June 24, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501232454/http://bethmalone.weebly.com/bio.html |archive-date=May 1, 2015}}</ref>
* [[Christian McCaffrey]] (born 1996), professional [[American football|football]] player (running back)
* [[Max McCaffrey]] (born 1994), professional football player (wide receiver)
* [[Joe Oltmann]], political activist and conspiracy theorist
* [[Will Owen (racing driver)|Will Owen]] (born 1995), racing driver
* [[Nelson Rangell]] (born 1960), jazz musician<ref>Miller, Ken. (2007). ''Nelson Rangell – Interview Cafe'' (Video-recording), Time: 4:13</ref>
* [[Edward Seidensticker]] (1921–2007), [[Japanese studies|Japanologist]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Fox |first=Margalit |title=Edward Seidensticker, Translator, Is Dead at 86 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 31, 2007 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/31/arts/31seidensticker.html |access-date=September 29, 2011}}</ref>
* {{annotated link|Emma Shinn}}<ref name="Westword">{{cite news |last1=Campbell |first1=Ana |title=Castle Rock Transgender Marine: People May Die From President Trump's Tweets |url=https://www.westword.com/news/castle-rock-transgender-marine-reflects-on-donald-trumps-ban-9300570 |access-date=December 21, 2022 |publisher=Westword |date=July 27, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Ann Strother]] (born 1983), [[WNBA]] player, coach<ref>{{cite web |title=Ann Strother |work=UConn Hoop Legends |publisher=[[University of Connecticut]] |url=http://www.uconnhooplegends.com/womensledgends/StrotherAnn.html |access-date=September 29, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510123016/http://www.uconnhooplegends.com/womensledgends/StrotherAnn.html |archive-date=May 10, 2016}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery class="center" widths="180px">
File:Pikes Peak as seen from Castle Rock CO.JPG|View of [[Pikes Peak]] from Rock Park in Castle Rock
File:Devils Head taken from Ridgeline Open Space.JPG|View of [[Devil's Head Lookout]] from [[Ridgeline Open Space]] in Castle Rock
File:Mount Evans as seen from Castle Rock CO.JPG|View of [[Mount Blue Sky]] from Rock Park in Castle Rock
File:Rock Park in Castle Rock CO.JPG|View from Rock Park Lookout Area in Castle Rock
File:Pikes Peak taken from I-25 in Castle Rock CO.jpg|View of [[Pikes Peak]] from [[Interstate 25 in Colorado|I-25]] in Castle Rock
File:The Meadows in Castle Rock Colorado taken from Daniels Park.jpg|View of [[The Meadows, Castle Rock, Colorado|The Meadows]] neighborhood taken from Daniels Park
File:Castlerockco.JPG|Castle Rock as seen from [[Interstate 25 in Colorado|I-25]]
File:Trail at Rock Park, Castle Rock, CO IMG 5207.JPG|Hiking trail at Rock Park in Castle Rock
</gallery>
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==See also==
{{portal|Geography|History|United States|Colorado}}
*[[Denver–Aurora–Centennial, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area]]
*[[Front Range Urban Corridor]]
*[[List of county seats in Colorado]]
*[[List of municipalities in Colorado]]
*[[List of populated places in Colorado]]
*[[List of post offices in Colorado]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|auto=yes}}
* [http://www.crgov.com/ Town of Castle Rock website]
* [http://www.visitcastlerock.org/ Visit Castle Rock]

{{Douglas County, Colorado|collapse_state=expanded}}
{{Colorado}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Castle Rock, Colorado| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Douglas County, Colorado]]
[[Category:Towns in Colorado]]
[[Category:County seats in Colorado]]
[[Category:Denver metropolitan area]]
[[Category:1874 establishments in Colorado Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1874]]