Douglas County's Veterans Day observance runs five days this year, from a Saturday morning tribute ceremony through two rescheduled fireworks shows on Nov. 11 itself. Here's every confirmed event, which restaurants have actually posted a 2026 free-meal offer, and what's closed.
Veterans Day events, Saturday Nov. 7 to Wednesday Nov. 11
Saturday, Nov. 7
- 11am: Veterans Day Tribute, Veterans Monument Plaza, Castle Rock. Free. Douglas County's Board of County Commissioners and Veterans Service Office host the ceremony, with keynote remarks from Sheriff Darren Weekly, retired Marine Col. Sean Pechon and Veterans Service Officer Chris Maes.
- 1pm: Heroes Hall Groundbreaking and World Trade Center Steel Dedication, Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center, Castle Rock. Free. A ceremonial groundbreaking for Heroes Hall, plus a dedication of World Trade Center steel at its future site, right after the morning tribute.
- Nov. 7-14 (all day): The Canyons of Heroes Veterans Day Flag Tribute, The Green at The Canyons, Castle Pines. Free to view; $50 to dedicate a flag. American flags line Westbridge Drive, each one adopted in honor of a veteran, with proceeds going to Rocky Mountain Honor Flight.
Monday, Nov. 9
- 6:30pm: Veterans Concert at the Highlands Ranch Mansion, Highlands Ranch Mansion, Highlands Ranch. $30 ($33.37 with fees).
Tuesday, Nov. 10
- 3:30pm: 10th Annual Turkeys for Our Troops, Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker. Free. An afternoon of music supporting military families in need.
Wednesday, Nov. 11 (Veterans Day)
- 7:30am: Veterans Day Coffee, Sterling Ranch CAB (Ranch Social), Sterling Ranch. Free.
- 10am: Veterans Day Tour, Cherokee Ranch & Castle, Sedalia. Free for veterans, $22 for others. Reservations required at 303-688-5555.
- 6:30pm: Veterans Day Celebration, Highlands Ranch Library, Highlands Ranch. Free. Patriotic music from the Highlands Ranch Concert Band and a color guard, by the Highlands Ranch Veterans Monument.
- 7pm: Castle Rock Veterans Day Fireworks Show, Miller's Landing near Philip S. Miller Park, Castle Rock. Free. Castle Rock's postponed July 4 show, rescheduled to Veterans Day back in October.
- 7pm: Parker Veterans Day Fireworks Show, near Salisbury Regional Park, Parker. Free. Parker's postponed show, same night as Castle Rock's.
- All day: free state park entry for veterans and active-duty military, including Roxborough State Park. See below.
Free entry at Roxborough and every Colorado state park
Colorado Parks and Wildlife waives entry fees on Veterans Day at every state park in the state, Roxborough included, for veterans, active-duty military and National Guard members, per CPW's own event page. It's not free entry for the general public, and camping, fishing and other fees still apply. Bring a DD214, DD Form 2, DD Form 2765, an active or retired military ID, or a VA medical card.
Free meals and deals for veterans
These are the Douglas County chains where the business itself has posted a confirmed 2026 Veterans Day offer. Bring proof of service, and expect dine-in only.
- Applebee's, 390 Allen St., Castle Rock: a free entree from the Veterans Day menu on Nov. 11, dine-in only, per Applebee's own offer page.
- Outback Steakhouse, 4687 Milestone Ln., Castle Rock: a free Bloomin' Onion and a drink on Nov. 10-11, per Outback's Military Mates page.
- Red Robin, locations in Parker (Crown Pointe) and Highlands Ranch: a free Red's Big Tavern Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries on Nov. 11, dine-in only, per Red Robin's Veterans Day page.
- Chili's, 2070 E. County Line Rd., Highlands Ranch: a free entree from a Veterans Day menu on Nov. 11, dine-in only, per Chili's own Veterans Day page.
A handful of national chains with no Douglas County location, or no 2026 offer posted yet on their own site as of this writing, are left off this list on purpose. Call ahead if you're relying on any of these.
What's closed Wednesday, Nov. 11
- Douglas County government offices are closed, reopening regular hours Nov. 12, per the county's own holiday notice.
- Castle Rock town offices are closed; recreation facilities stay open, per the Town's calendar.
- Parker Town Hall is closed, per the Town's calendar.
- Lone Tree city offices are closed; Veterans Day is one of the City's recognized paid holidays, per its 2026 employee benefits guide. Lone Tree's own trash and recycling schedule isn't affected, since Veterans Day isn't one of its holiday-delay dates.
- Castle Pines City Hall is closed; Veterans Day is a recognized paid City holiday, per Castle Pines' own 2026 benefits guide.
- Douglas County Libraries stay open on their normal schedule. Veterans Day isn't on DCL's own 2026 holiday closures list.
- Trash and recycling: Castle Rock, Parker and Douglas County don't run curbside collection themselves (it's HOA or private-hauler service), and none of the towns above list Veterans Day as a delay date. Check with your own hauler if you're unsure.
The Douglas County Veterans Service Office, at 410 S. Wilcox St. in downtown Castle Rock, is closed with the rest of county government on Nov. 11.
Sources: Douglas County, Veterans Day community events · Douglas County, Veterans Day holiday notice · Town of Castle Rock calendar · Town of Parker calendar · City of Lone Tree 2026 benefits guide · City of Lone Tree trash and recycling · City of Castle Pines 2026 benefits guide · Douglas County Libraries hours and holiday closures · Colorado Parks and Wildlife, free park entry · Applebee's Veterans Day · Outback Steakhouse Military Mates · Red Robin Veterans Day · Chili's Veterans Day · HRCA, Veterans Concert · Town of Parker, Turkeys for Our Troops · Cherokee Ranch & Castle, Veterans Day Tour · Sterling Ranch CAB calendar · Town of Castle Rock, Veterans Day fireworks · Town of Parker, Veterans Day fireworks