Denver and Littleton Sue Bow Mar to Ensure Access to Public Roads

Denver and Littleton Sue Bow Mar to Ensure Access to Public Roads

Published on November 09, 2026

The City and County of Denver and City of Littleton today announced they are suing the Town of Bow Mar in response to its plan to gate intersections and prevent drivers from using public roads.

Bow Mar recently approved plans to install a gate along S. Sheridan Blvd. south of W. Quincy Ave. as well as fully close Tufts Ave. to outside traffic. This will lead to unsafe conditions for Denver and Littleton residents who are no longer able to utilize the traffic signal at Sheridan - a signal that was paid for and is maintained by Denver. Bow Mar's decision will also make emergency response more difficult for Denver and Littleton residents.

Though Denver and Littleton will lose access to travel through some of Bow Mar's streets, Bow Mar residents will continue to have full access to Denver and Littleton thoroughfares. The lawsuit seeks to prevent Bow Mar from installing gates and seeks compensation as the court deems fit.

"Bow Mar doesn't get to decide what is or isn't a public road, and they don't get to make life less safe for Denver and Littleton drivers," said Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. "As mayor it's my responsibility to ensure residents receive the services they paid for, and we are ready to go to court - and if necessary, beyond - to ensure the roads stay open."

"Public roads should serve the public, not become a tool for excluding people from their own community," said Littleton Mayor Kyle Schlachter. "I will continue to demand equal access for both Littleton and Denver residents who all share this regional network. We should be working together to find solutions - not erecting barriers that divide us."

Denver and Littleton have attempted to engage in good faith with Bow Mar over a period of several months, having offered to assist with targeted police enforcement on dangerous drivers or find alternative solutions that reduce traffic through Bow Mar. Despite these negotiations, Bow Mar has chosen to move forward with the option most disruptive to neighbors.

"I regret that Bow Mar chose not to collaborate with its neighbors to solve our shared problems together," said Denver Councilman Kevin Flynn, whose district borders Bow Mar. "My residents are rightly angered at being blocked from safe access to the public right of way due to Bow Mar's desire to privatize access on Sheridan Boulevard only to their invited guests."

The injunction was filed today and can be viewed here.

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