Wealthy Denver Suburb Faces Backlash Over Gated Community Plans

The affluent Denver suburb of Bow Mar has approved plans to become a gated town, a move intended to curb dangerous driving but which has drawn sharp criticism from neighboring communities and local officials.

Bow Mar, a town of approximately 830 residents located 12 miles south of Denver, has cited concerns over drivers speeding through their streets to avoid main thoroughfares. Residents argue the gates are necessary for safety, with one long-time resident telling The New York Times, "We just want to keep our kids safe. They're not able to play outside. Someone is going to die."

Initially, authorities proposed installing two gates at entrances and closing off a third point of access. The Bow Mar board of trustees announced on Monday their unanimous approval to proceed with hiring an engineering firm. The first gate could be installed by Thanksgiving, according to CBS Colorado.

However, the plan has ignited controversy. Local news anchor Kyle Clark humorously suggested on 9News that the town "doesn't want us peasants driving through anymore." Kyle Schlachter, the mayor of neighboring Littleton, claimed Bow Mar had rejected alternative traffic-calming measures, such as speed bumps or increased enforcement, in favor of gates. "It's hurtful when your neighbor says, 'You're not welcome in our community,'" Schlachter told The Times, adding that Bow Mar residents utilize neighboring roads without reciprocity. "Do we need to put up gates of our own?"

The debate intensified this week following an incident where a car was discovered submerged in Bowles Lake near the town. A dive team found no one inside the vehicle, and the Columbine Valley Police Department is investigating the car's ownership. Bow Mar trustee Liz Manning stated the incident reinforced her concerns about unsafe driving, telling CBS Colorado, "The concerns I have is that, at some point, this is going to involve a pedestrian and not just the lake. We're trying to avoid a fatality."

According to a traffic study commissioned by the town, an average of 2,000 vehicles entered Bow Mar daily last year, with most drivers not believed to be residents. Between the start of 2023 and this past summer, police issued 1,260 traffic violations, with speeding tickets accounting for half of them.

Manning outlined previous efforts to address traffic issues, including reducing the speed limit to 20 mph, installing numerous speed bumps, narrowing roads, and increasing enforcement, all without resolution. The town had previously proposed gates at Sheridan Boulevard and Prospect Drive, and closing West Tufts Avenue, with residents to receive RFID tags for vehicle access. For now, Bow Mar is proceeding with construction at the Sheridan entrance, planning to assess its impact before considering additional gates.

Denver City Councilman Kevin Flynn urged Bow Mar to collaborate with its neighbors rather than isolate itself. He accused the suburb of attempting to "solve their traffic hazards on the backs of my residents by giving them the traffic hazards." Denver Mayor Mike Johnston's office stated the city would work with Bow Mar to "find a solution that works for everyone," emphasizing that "public roads belong to the public."