Rep. Neguse Releases Statement Following OIG Audit Report on Mail Delivery in Colorado’s Mountain Towns

Lafayette, CO — Congressman Joe Neguse released the following statement on the United States Postal Service (USPS) Office of Inspector General’s Audit Report titled “Delivery and Customer Service in Colorado Mountain Towns. The USPS Office of Inspector General initiated the audit after Congressman Neguse and other lawmakers, customers, local leaders, and members of the media called attention to serious deficiencies in mail service, package delivery, facility conditions, customer service, and related issues in Colorado mountain towns. The full report can be found HERE. 

“For seniors, small businesses, and households that rely on timely deliveries for their medications, bills, checks, passports, packages, and other essential items, it is vital that the USPS improve the level of service it provides to Colorado’s mountain towns. For years I’ve implored the USPS to improve mail delivery in these communities, and I am heartened that the Office of Inspector General agrees. It is critical that the USPS immediately implement the recommended reforms in the OIG audit report and take these steps forward to increase transparency and accountability for the lower on-time service performance experienced in towns like Dillon, Vail, and Steamboat Springs.”  

“Notwithstanding the herculean efforts of the front-line postal workers at these locations, the report makes clear that these rural mountain communities are simply not receiving a level of service even close to what the agency is required to provide. We appreciate the thorough and thoughtful work of the USPS Office of Inspector General, and we look forward to ensuring the USPS implements these much-needed remedies, including worker pay increases, improved package handling and mail reporting systems, enhanced on-the-job training and Postmaster readiness, and any additional steps to reduce delivery delays.”  

Congressman Neguse has repeatedly implored the USPS to address ongoing performance issues and customer service problems in Colorado’s mountain communities. Most recently, Rep. Neguse announced soon to be implemented improvements for Steamboat Springs residents. Following a letter penned by the Congressman, addressed to the agency’s senior management, the USPS announced it will move forward with eliminating annual P.O. box fees for eligible residents of Steamboat Springs. Additionally, Rep. Neguse was successful in getting the USPS to restore 24/7 access to P.O. boxes at the Dillon Post Office and getting the Grand Lake Post Office to provide package pickup service on Saturday mornings.  

Congressman Neguse, who welcomed Routt County to Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District at the start of this year, visited the Steamboat Springs Post Office in April to listen to citizens’ concerns about the Postal Service, P.O. box fees and the condition of the downtown Steamboat Springs facility. 

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