Castle Rock Local Business Alliance™ (History)

The Origin of the Castle Rock Local Business Alliance™

The Castle Rock Local Business Alliance™ (CRLBA) was founded in 2019 by local entrepreneur Sean Hakes, driven by a simple but powerful observation: Castle Rock’s small and independent businesses needed their own voice. While traditional chambers of commerce serve a valuable role in many communities, their model often supports businesses of all sizes—including large corporations and out-of-town companies—regardless of their true local impact.

Sean noticed that some of his biggest competitors, operating from outside the community, were being promoted equally alongside local storefronts. That was the moment the vision crystallized: Castle Rock needed its own local-first advocacy group—one committed to elevating neighborhood businesses, not just those with the biggest budgets.

The CRLBA was built to be nimble, independent, and unapologetically pro-local. It operated as a for-profit business alliance, entirely separate from public funding or political influence. This model allowed the organization to focus solely on championing local entrepreneurs and helping them compete in an increasingly corporatized world.

With that foundation, the CRLBA launched networking events, business spotlights, and visibility campaigns that helped dozens of small businesses get noticed and grow. It wasn’t about competing with the Chamber—it was about building a new lane with a different mission, and that mission resonated deeply across the community.

The Heart of the CRLBA — A Tribute to Gary Godfrey

As the Castle Rock Local Business Alliance™ grew, it drew the attention of a local figure who would become its soul: Gary Godfrey. Known throughout town as a community connector, photographer, and friend to all, Gary believed deeply in people. He didn’t just support local business—he lived it. Whether managing the Castle Rock Outlets, attending town meetings, or walking downtown, Gary’s presence always brought warmth and encouragement.

When Sean Hakes met Gary, a natural partnership formed. Gary brought a quiet strength and deeply relational leadership style. As CRLBA evolved, Gary stepped in to help lead and nurture the alliance, freeing up time from other obligations to focus on helping the town he loved. He would regularly check in on business owners, ask how things were going, and offer a listening ear—never judging, always supporting.

In December 2020, Gary passed away after a private health battle, his ashes later spread in his favorite place in Colorado by his brother. While there was no public funeral, the loss was deeply felt. At a Castle Rock Town Council meeting, a proclamation was read in his honor. Mayor Jason Gray shared Gary’s words from his hospital bed: “Regardless of whatever course this takes, I am the most blessed man in the room, surrounded by so much love.”

Councilmember Laura Cavey reflected, “Gary loved this town. He was a pillar in this community.” His longtime friend, Holly Osborne Horn, said, “When you ran into him around town, your day just got better. Gary was a judgment-free zone.”

Sean Hakes shared, “It was really cool to see his passion and his love for the town. It’s a huge loss in the community, but being able to take his vision and bring it to greater heights is something I think we’re all excited about.”

Today, Gary’s legacy lives on in the spirit of the businesses he helped lift up, in the community that loved him back, and in every smile sparked by one of his photographs. He sang in his final recording, “It’s been a wonderful road that I’ve traveled so far… Every journey must end.” But his journey continues here, through us.

From Reflection to Action — The Birth of the DCLBA

In the wake of Gary’s passing and the eventual sunset of the Castle Rock Local Business Alliance™, the energy that once pulsed through the group didn’t disappear—it simply waited. Over the course of several months, Sean Hakes began meeting one-on-one with former LBA members, asking hard questions about what had worked, what was missing, and whether the spark could be reignited.

Among those conversations was a pivotal one with longtime LBA supporter and local-first advocate Mark Blickenstaff. Mark’s insight into both the alliance’s original DNA and the evolving needs of local businesses helped shape a clearer picture of what could come next. The message was consistent: Castle Rock—and Douglas County as a whole—still needed a voice for independent business.

So in 2025, the Douglas County Local Business Alliance™ (DCLBA) was born. Not just to pick up where the CRLBA left off, but to fill a broader, more urgent gap county-wide. This new organization carries the torch of its predecessor, infused with fresh tools, sharper strategies, and an unshakable commitment to local-first values.

Today, the DCLBA stands ready—built by and for the very people it aims to support. Its foundation may be rooted in memory, but its vision is all about momentum. The journey continues, stronger than ever.

How the Mission Evolved — From Local Unity to Local Power

In its earliest days, the Castle Rock Local Business Alliance™ existed to connect and support small, independently owned businesses. But as the organization matured, so did its mission. It wasn’t enough to simply promote “buying local.” The time had come to give local businesses a voice.

Under new leadership and structure, the CRLBA began positioning itself as a watchdog and advocate—monitoring town decisions, zoning discussions, and development projects that could impact Main Street. Its goal: to ensure that local business interests were not sidelined by big box stores, national developers, or tone-deaf policy.

This shift also meant increased collaboration with town councils, county commissioners, and local economic development departments. Through member packages that included lobbying support and promotional campaigns, the CRLBA started helping businesses do more than survive—they helped them compete.

The Alliance had transformed from a networking group into a local economic engine—an organized, well-informed coalition working to protect the fabric of Castle Rock and surrounding towns. It became clear: local unity had evolved into local power.

From Legacy to Leadership — The Rise of the Douglas County Local Business Alliance™

While the Castle Rock Local Business Alliance™ (CRLBA) is no longer operating, its spirit lives on—stronger, broader, and more resilient than ever. The Douglas County Local Business Alliance™ (DCLBA) was formed to pick up where the CRLBA left off, not just in Castle Rock, but throughout the entire region.

Sean Hakes, the original founder of the CRLBA, returned to build something even greater—infusing the DCLBA with expanded tools, enhanced platforms, and a renewed mission: to level the playing field for local businesses in a political and economic environment where special interests and corporate giants often dominate the conversation.

The DCLBA is more than a tribute to the past—it’s a commitment to the future. By uniting independently owned businesses across Parker, Castle Pines, Larkspur, Lone Tree, and beyond, it creates a collective voice too powerful to ignore. Whether it’s advocating for fair town contracts, shining a light on pro-local legislation, or giving business owners direct visibility through advanced business profiles, the Alliance is designed to serve, amplify, and protect.

What began as a grassroots group in Castle Rock is now becoming a countywide engine of advocacy. The DCLBA doesn’t just stand on the shoulders of the CRLBA—it honors it by fueling the fire, raising the bar, and making sure that the legacy of local business leadership in Douglas County continues to grow for generations to come.