Denver, Littleton sue Bow Mar over town gates

On Monday, the City and County of Denver and the City of Littleton filed a lawsuit against Bow Mar to stop the town’s plan to install gates at the South Sheridan Boulevard entrance near West Quincy Avenue and to permanently close West Tufts Avenue, a road used by vehicles from both municipalities. Bow Mar, a town of fewer than 1,000 residents located between Denver and Littleton, says the gates are part of a safety project designed to reduce through‑traffic. The town reported 18 accidents on its residential roads in recent years and that roughly 1,200 cars use the Sheridan Boulevard entrance each day. Denver mayor Mike Johnston wrote that "Bow Mar doesn’t get to decide what is or isn’t a public road, and they don’t get to make life less safe for Denver and Littleton drivers." He pledged to go to court to keep the roads open. Littleton mayor Kyle Schlachter added that "Public roads should serve the public, not become a tool for excluding people from their own community," and called for equal access. Bow Mar argues that the gates will not exclude its residents but allow the town to better manage traffic and public safety. What this means for residents: If the court sides with Denver and Littleton, the gates will not be installed, keeping Sheridan Boulevard accessible for commuters and emergency responders. If Bow Mar prevails, residents could face restricted entry and longer travel times. What's next: The lawsuit will proceed in state court; a hearing date has not yet been announced.