Colorado Town's Gated Entrances Spark Interstate Feud

A small Colorado town's decision to install gates at its entrances has ignited a dispute with neighboring municipalities, prompting threats of retaliatory measures.

Bow Mar, a town of approximately 950 residents located southeast of Denver, voted this week to install gates on two of its entrances and close a third. The move comes after a traffic study revealed that an average of 1,200 vehicles pass through the town daily. Residents have voiced concerns about safety, citing risks to children playing outdoors and elderly citizens.

Previous attempts to mitigate traffic, such as implementing a 20 mph speed limit, proved ineffective. The town council's decision followed discussions over the summer, with a unanimous vote occurring at a Monday council meeting. The first gate is anticipated to be installed by Thanksgiving, with operations commencing in January. The exact method of gate operation remains unclear.

Bow Mar officials maintain that the initiative is solely focused on enhancing safety and not on creating an exclusive gated community. Shane Fable, a resident whose son was nearly hit by a truck that struck a mailbox, shared his concerns with The New York Times, stating, "It's out of control." The driver in that incident was charged with reckless driving and vehicular assault while intoxicated.

Data from the Bow Mar police department shows over 1,260 traffic tickets issued since the beginning of 2023, with nearly half related to speeding. The town's location has made it a thoroughfare for drivers seeking to bypass congestion between Denver and Littleton.

Officials in Littleton and Denver have expressed strong opposition to Bow Mar's plan. Denver City Councilman Kevin Flynn described the proposal as exacerbating safety concerns by restricting access to a public right-of-way. He suggested the possibility of a "nuclear option," potentially involving Denver installing its own gate in retaliation. "That’s not acceptable for us, for Bow Mar to be creating a significant traffic hazard for us in the course of resolving theirs," Flynn told CBS.

Littleton Mayor Kyle Schlachter and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston have jointly urged Bow Mar officials to reconsider their decision in a letter. The letter emphasizes the expectation of reciprocal access to roads and rights-of-way between the municipalities. Schlachter commented on the perceived unwelcoming nature of the action, stating, "It’s hurtful when your neighbor says, ‘You’re not welcome in our community.’"