The town of about 950 people sees an estimated 1,200 vehicles pass through each day, according to a traffic study; most drivers do not live there. Bow Mar has added speed bumps and “kids at play” signs and reduced the speed limit to 20 mph, but residents have continued to raise concerns about children and older neighbors sharing streets with cut-through traffic.

The first gate could be installed as early as Thanksgiving and is expected to begin operating around mid-January, town leaders said. Bow Mar has not decided whether it would operate around the clock or only at certain times. Officials also said they will assess the project’s effects before considering additional gates. The town has not provided accident-report data.

Bow Mar had proposed controlled-access gates at two of its three main entrances and closing a smaller entrance near Tufts Avenue. Denver and Littleton officials have opposed the approach and asked the town to pause and work with them on alternatives. Denver City Councilman Kevin Flynn said closing public streets could disrupt traffic and restrict access to the signal at Quincy Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard.

Calls for action intensified after a car was found in Bowles Lake last Wednesday, though the available details do not establish a connection between that incident and the traffic proposal. Bow Mar said it would provide more information about construction at the Sheridan entrance in the coming weeks.