The Hot Spot Studios: Colorado's First, Now Open in Castle Rock

I stopped in at The Hot Spot Studios in Castle Rock, and the owner, Michelle, walked me through the whole place. It's a walk-in craft studio at 729 Barranca Drive #107, and it's the first Hot Spot Studios in Colorado — the franchise started in California and now has 52 locations nationwide, and this is the one that finally landed here. It opened Tuesday, July 14.

Here's what you can make, what it costs, and the hours.

What The Hot Spot Studios is

It's a walk-in creative studio built around seven kinds of projects:

• Pottery painting
• Canvas painting
• Candle making
• Mosaics
• Fairy gardens
• Slime
• Bath bar (body scrubs)

Everything is done the same day — you make it, you take it with you — except pottery, which gets glazed and kiln-fired and is ready to pick up a few days later. There are also take-home To-Go kits if you'd rather craft at your own table.

Michelle found the franchise herself and brought the first Hot Spot Studios to Colorado, opening it in Castle Rock as a creative, walk-in space for the community — somewhere to make something with your hands, whether you're a kid, a first-timer, or a regular. She also runs pop-ups around town, including at the pavilion at Philip S. Miller Park.

How it works and what it costs

The part I liked most: there are no studio fees. For a drop-in you just pay for the project — about $30 to $36 each — and that's it. No per-seat charge stacked on top.

You can walk in any time during open hours. Reservations are for groups of six or more, private parties, and events. All ages are welcome, and the kids camps are for ages six and up. One thing to know if you drop in: when it's busy, tables run on about a two-hour limit, so you may be asked to wrap up if there's a wait for a seat.

For a private party, it's a $125 booking fee plus $35 per person, which covers two projects over two hours (anything but the bath bar). That's the setup for kids' birthday parties, girls' nights, team outings, bridal groups, and scouts. There's a dedicated party room in the back with its own TV you can cast to — Michelle will throw a "Happy Birthday" up on the screen for the guest of honor.

There's also a snack counter up front so you don't have to pack anything for a party or a long crafting session. It's stocked with sodas — Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Coke Zero ($2) — carbonated water ($1), assorted chip and snack bags ($1), Goldfish (50¢), Mott's fruit snacks and Airheads (3 for $1), and both small and full-size candy. Everything's priced for kids.

There's also Sip & Create — guided paint nights where you can bring your own drinks (BYOB) and the staff helps you along. Date nights, private events, and gift cards round it out.

Hours + info

• Sunday: 12pm – 6pm
• Monday–Thursday: 11am – 7pm
• Friday–Saturday: 11am – 9pm

Book a party or an event at the-hot-spot-studios-castle-rock-co.square.site, or find them on Instagram at @thehotspotstudioscastlerock.

One thing worth clearing up: the 1375 W Plum Creek Parkway address that shows up on their Facebook and Instagram is the pop-up spot at Philip S. Miller Park, not the studio. The studio is at 729 Barranca Drive #107.

While you're out in Castle Rock

The Hot Spot Studios is a good one to add to a rotation of Castle Rock outings:

• It's one of the newest businesses to open across Douglas County.
• If you're after a night out we run ourselves, we host paint nights, dinners, and other experiences around the county.
• And for whatever else is on this week, here's everything happening in Castle Rock.

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The Hot Spot Studios
729 Barranca Drive #107, Castle Rock, CO 80104
(720) 670-7684 · book online · @thehotspotstudioscastlerock
See our full Hot Spot Studios directory listing for hours, photos, and details.

Visited and reported by Connor Tien for DougCo Social, July 18, 2026. The Hot Spot Studios is newly open; details, prices, and hours may still change.