The small town of Bow Mar, nestled between Denver and Littleton, has approved plans to install gates on public roads, including South Sheridan Boulevard. This move, aimed at reducing non-resident traffic, has sparked criticism from neighboring cities.

Bow Mar officials, citing safety concerns, have long considered such measures. A town resolution noted that over half of the traffic through Bow Mar is considered cut-through, prompting residents to push for gates. These gates would operate with RFID tags for residents, similar to a private community setup, even though Bow Mar’s roads are public.

In response, Denver and Littleton mayors have expressed concerns about the impact on public right-of-way access. In a joint letter, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and Littleton Mayor Kyle Schlachter warned that Bow Mar’s actions could lead to road closures affecting Bow Mar residents’ access to Denver and Littleton.

Denver residents, particularly those in the Fort Logan neighborhood, rely on Sheridan Boulevard to access Quincy Avenue safely. Bow Mar’s plan to close Tufts Avenue could block this access, raising safety concerns for drivers needing signalized intersections.

The mayors also suggested that Denver and Littleton might install their own barriers, potentially restricting Bow Mar residents’ access to key exit routes. Denver’s spokesperson, Jon Ewing, indicated ongoing negotiations with Bow Mar, though no resolution has been reached yet.

Bow Mar Mayor Bryan Sperry acknowledged the concerns of neighboring cities but remained hopeful that safety priorities would prevail through continued dialogue. The town has allocated significant funds for the gate installations, with plans for construction in the coming months.

Original reporting: Denverite — read the source article.