The Town of Castle Rock is the county seat of
Douglas County,
Colorado,
United States and is named after the prominent castle tower-shaped butte near the center of town. It is part of Colorado's
Front Range Urban Corridor and is located roughly 28 miles (46 km) south of
Denver and 37 miles (60 km) north of
Colorado Springs. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 48,231.
History
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.The region in and around Castle Rock was originally home to Native Americans of the Arapahoe and Cheyenne tribes. They occupied the land between the Arkansas and South Platte Rivers.White settlers were drawn to the area by rumors of gold and by land opened through the Homestead Act of 1862. However, it was the discovery of rhyolite stone not gold that ultimately led to the settlement of Castle Rock.
Government
Castle Rock is a Home Rule Municipality with a council-manager form of government. The town council consists of seven members, each representing an election district, elected to two-year terms.One member, appointed by the council, serves as mayor, presiding over council meetings, and another member serves as mayor pro tem. The mayor presides over council meetings and casts one vote, like other council members.
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 town manager, town attorney, municipal judge, and members of town boards and commissions.The town manager supervises all departments, prepares and implements the town budget, and works with the council to develop policies and propose new plans.
Health Care
Castle Rock residents have access to numerous options when it comes to quality health care. Within town there are several medical offices, an urgent care and an emergency room. A hospital is currently under construction and is expected to open in 2013. Additionally, a large medical campus, JCAHO accredited hospital and 24 hour level III trauma center is only fifteen minute drive north of town.
Parks and Recreation
Castle Rock’s open space and parks comprise 27% the town’s total land area (5,415 acres (21.91 km2) of parks and open space / 20,224 acres (81.84 km2) total land area. Additionally, there are 56 miles (90 km) of soft-surface and paved trails.
- Parks - Baldwin Park, Bison Park, Butterfield Park, Castle Highlands Park, Castle North Park, Castlewood Canyon State Park, Centennial Park, Festival Park, Founders Park, Gemstone Park, Glovers Tot Lot, Matney Park, Metzler Ranch Park, Mitchell Gulch Park, Paintbrush Park, Plum Creek Park, Rhyolite Regional Park, Rosecrown Park.
- Trails & Open Space - East Plum Creek Trail, Gateway Mesa Open Space, Hidden Mesa Open Space, Memmen Ridge Open Space, Mitchell Creek Canyon Trail, Mitchell Creek Trail System, Native Legend Open Space, Quarry Mesa Open Space, Ridgeline Open Space, Rock Park, The Bowl.
