Denver and Littleton file lawsuit to stop Bow Mar gate project
The two larger cities argue the barrier illegally shifts traffic hazards to their residents, a claim Bow Mar disputes as residents demand safety measures.
By Talia Bennett ·
Drivers in Denver and Littleton may soon face a new legal battle over a physical barrier on South Sheridan Boulevard. The two cities filed a lawsuit in Denver District Court on Monday to halt the construction of a gate at the Bow Mar town line. They also seek to stop the planned closure of West Tufts Avenue. The complaint argues these moves exceed the town's legal authority under state law.
Bow Mar, a community of 900 residents, has faced pressure to control traffic volumes that have risen sharply. Town data indicates that approximately 1,200 vehicles enter Bow Mar via Sheridan Boulevard daily. That figure represents a 51% increase over the past eight years. Local police issued nearly 900 citations for speeding and unsafe driving in the town over the last four years. Officials say the gate is necessary to prevent a fatal collision.
The dispute has intensified over several months. In June, residents crowded a Bow Mar town council meeting to demand action against speeding vehicles. The current legal action follows months of negotiation and tension between the three municipalities. The lawsuit characterizes the gate as an illegal maneuver to shift traffic risks to the larger neighboring cities.
The gate is designed to be accessible only to town residents, emergency services, and delivery trucks. Bow Mar leaders expect to erect the structure by the end of November. They plan to have it operational by January. The barrier would sit on a road that the Colorado Department of Transportation classifies as a major collector. The regional transportation system relies on these roads to move traffic efficiently.
The lawsuit states that the gate is not a reasonable exercise of police power. It claims that closing these roads forces traffic onto residential streets. This change increases the risk of collisions with backing vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and children. The complaint specifically points to unsignalized intersections on West Quincy Avenue as new danger points.
Financial obligations also form part of the legal argument. The cities claim Bow Mar received nearly $37,000 in Highway Users Tax Fund money in 2025. The town received another nearly $31,000 in the same funds through October 20. The lawsuit argues these grants obligate the town to keep its roads open to the public.
Mayor Mike Johnston of Denver said in a statement that Bow Mar cannot unilaterally decide what constitutes a public road. He emphasized his responsibility to ensure residents receive the services they paid for. Johnston stated that the city is ready to go to court and beyond if necessary to keep the roads open.
Littleton Mayor Kyle Schlachter supported the legal action. He stressed the need for equal access for residents of both cities who share the regional network. He argued that the towns should work together to find solutions rather than erecting barriers that divide them.
Bill Rigler, a town spokesman for Bow Mar, said the municipality had no immediate comment on the lawsuit on Monday. The legal action falls short of a more aggressive proposal previously discussed by Denver officials. City Councilman Kevin Flynn had described installing a competing gate as a nuclear option to neutralize Bow Mar's barrier.
