Arapahoe and Jefferson Counties
Bow Mar
A tiny lakeside town of one-story homes on acre lots, tucked between Marston Lake and Bowles Lake.
Location: A small town of under a square mile in southwest metro Denver, straddling Arapahoe and Jefferson counties | Vibe: Private, quiet, lake-oriented | Known for: Bowles Lake, acre lots, one-story homes
Bow Mar is a small town of about 850 people (2020 census) in the southwest metro, surrounded by Denver’s Marston neighborhood and unincorporated Jefferson County. It covers less than a square mile and straddles Arapahoe and Jefferson counties. The name combines Bowles Lake and Marston Lake, the two lakes it sits between.
The first home was built in 1947, and most of the town was built out by the end of the 1950s. Bow Mar incorporated as a town in 1958.
What the homes are like
Lots are generally around an acre, and homes are limited to one story, which keeps the open, low-slung look the town was designed around. Many of the original homes were built in a Prairie-inspired style. Many have been updated or replaced over the years, often with large single-level custom homes.
Living here day to day
Bowles Lake is at the heart of the community, and lake access is a big part of the appeal. Everyday shopping is a few minutes away along Bowles, Wadsworth and in Littleton, and the foothills are a short drive west.
Bow Mar at a glance
Residents
About 850 people at the 2020 census.
Getting around
Bowles Ave, Wadsworth and C-470 are the main routes. Downtown Denver is about 25 minutes by car.
Public schools
Homes on the Arapahoe County side are in Littleton Public Schools, and homes on the Jefferson County side are in Jeffco Public Schools. I check the district for each address.
Rules to know
Bow Mar is its own town with its own building rules, including a one-story limit. If you plan to remodel or rebuild, check the town’s requirements before you buy.
“Bow Mar is one of the metro’s best-kept secrets: acre lots, a lake and single-level living, minutes from Littleton.”
Marla on Bow Mar
Discover Bow Mar
Local spots worth knowing
🛶
Bowles Lake
The lake at the center of the community.
💧
Marston Lake
A Denver Water reservoir on the town’s edge.
🏡
Acre lots
Large lots with one-story homes and plenty of space between neighbors.
🌳
Clement Park
A large regional park with a lake and trails nearby.
Bow Mar real estate
Bow Mar is almost entirely single-level homes on lots of about an acre, from updated originals to new custom builds. Very few homes come up for sale in a given year.
Want new Bow Mar listings by email? Open the search, tap Save search, and you’ll get matches the day they hit the MLS.
Who buys in Bow Mar
The buyers I see in Bow Mar usually want space, privacy and single-level living.
Downsizers who want space
Single-level living without giving up a big lot.
Custom home buyers
Original homes on acre lots that can be updated or rebuilt.
Lake lovers
A small community built around Bowles Lake.
Bow Mar questions I get asked
Where is Bow Mar?
Bow Mar is a small town in the southwest metro, between Bowles Lake and Marston Lake, surrounded by Denver’s Marston neighborhood and unincorporated Jefferson County.
Why are homes in Bow Mar one story?
The town limits homes to one story, which keeps the open, low-profile look it was built around in the 1940s and 1950s.
What school district is Bow Mar in?
It depends on the county. The Arapahoe County side is in Littleton Public Schools, and the Jefferson County side is in Jeffco Public Schools.
How big are the lots in Bow Mar?
Most lots are about an acre.
Nearby areas
Marston in Denver surrounds much of Bow Mar, and Columbine Valley is a few minutes east. Littleton is to the southeast.
Buying in Bow Mar? My Denver home buyer’s guide walks through the whole process in 10 steps.
Thinking about Bow Mar?
Interested in Bow Mar? I can let you know when a home is coming up and help you understand the town’s building rules.
Or call or text 720.454.5432