This once-tiny seat of county government now boasts an estimated population of 18,000, according to 1999 town planning figures. The town uses a council and manager form of government, and is considered a home-rule community. Voters elect council members from about half the town's seven districts each year.
All terms are two years.
The last October election in Castle Rock's history was 1998, following voters' approval in 1997 for a town charter amendment changing the annual election to the first Tuesday in April of each year. The town council meets the second and fourth Thursdays of every month. Council meetings can be seen on Channel 8 at 6 p.m., the Monday following the meeting. Historically, agriculture was the mainstay of the community. In the late 1800s, however, rhyolite mining in Castle Rock and surrounding areas added to the local economy.