Bow Mar voted to gate its entrances. What it could mean for southwest Denver drivers

The town of Bow Mar, just across Denver's southwest border, has approved $307,000 for gates that would open only for its residents, guests and emergency vehicles, Denverite reported. Construction could begin around Thanksgiving, and the first gate won't operate before January, according to 9News.

Why it matters to Denver residents: the plan would close southbound access into Bow Mar on Sheridan Boulevard just south of Quincy Avenue and close Tufts Avenue at Sheridan, which Denverite said would block some Denver residents from reaching Sheridan.

What Bow Mar approved

According to 9News and Denverite:

• Sheridan: an arm gate near Sheridan Boulevard and Sunset Drive, opened by radio-frequency tags given to residents, emergency providers and the fire district.
• Tufts Avenue: collapsible bollards, which the town calls a pilot.
• Later: a gate at Prospect and Belleview is in the contract, but the town says it will wait to see how the first phase goes.
• The town's reasons: Bow Mar, with just under 900 residents, says cut-through drivers are speeding and crashing on its roads. Its spokesperson told Denverite the town has already tried a 20 mph limit, speed bumps and traffic circles. 9News reported that the traffic studies behind the town's numbers are disputed.

What Denver and Littleton have said

• In a June 1 letter, Mayor Mike Johnston and Littleton Mayor Kyle Schlachter asked Bow Mar to pause and said they would explore options, including barriers of their own, 9News reported.
• A Denver spokesperson told 9News: "Public roads are for the public, and we will have more to share in the coming days." The city told Denverite it is working with Littleton to make sure public roads remain public.
• Council member Kevin Flynn, whose district is nearest Bow Mar, told 9News the decision may push the city toward a "nuclear option," adding that "the whole point of a nuclear option is to never use it." He said the plan would cut his constituents off from the traffic signal at Quincy and Sheridan and that he prefers collaboration.
• Schlachter told Denverite that Littleton is considering legal and infrastructure options.

What our records add

Bow Mar's gates have not been debated in a recorded Denver Council or committee meeting, based on a search of the transcripts we index (search). So far, Denver's response has come from the mayor's office and from Flynn in interviews. Any barrier on a Denver street or legal action would come from the administration, and a city agreement or spending tied to it would come to the Council as a bill or resolution.

The roads in question are public and partly paid for with state highway money: Bow Mar received $77,181 from the state's Highway Users Tax Fund in the past year, 9News reported.

What's next

• Around Thanksgiving: construction could start, per 9News.
• January: the Sheridan gate could begin operating.
• Denver says it will have more to share. Flynn represents District 2; find your Council member on the district map.