By Shannon Lukens.
The U.S. Postal Service has announced that mail operations will continue at the Grand Junction Processing Facility. It will stay open to serve the Western Slope and be modernized as a “Local Processing Center,” to improve mail and package flow through the region.” USPS will invest up to $6.3 million in the facility to help modernize the nation’s aging postal network. No career employees will be laid off. Mail from Craig and Hayden goes through Grand Junction. All outgoing mail processing outgoing operations will go to Denver, which means mail destined for other places than the Western Slope.
U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet sent a letter to U.S. Postmaster Louis DeJoy this week saying they were against the proposal of closing the Grand Junction facility, saying it would negatively impact mail delivery speeds, especially in Colorado’s mountain communities.
More on the Story — U.S. SENATORS WRITE POSTMASTER DEJOY ABOUT IMPACT ON MAIL IF GRAND JUNCTION FACILITY IS CONSOLIDATED
Press Release from United States Postal Service; April 16, 2024.
USPS to Improve Mail Operations at Grand Junction Processing Facility
Facility to remain open and modernized as a Local Processing Center to improve mail and package flow through the region
USPS to invest up to $6.3 million in this facility as part of 10-year Delivering for America plan to modernize the nation’s aging postal network
There will be no career employee layoffs
GRAND JUNCTION, CO — As part of a $40 billion investment strategy to upgrade and improve the Postal processing, transportation, and delivery networks, the United States Postal Service announced its plan to modernize mail operations at its Grand Junction Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) in Grand Junction, CO.
The announcement comes following a thorough business review and solicitation of public feedback on the facility’s future. In addition to determining the facility will remain open and modernized as a Local Processing Center (LPC), the business case supports transferring mail processing outgoing operations to the Denver P&DC in Denver, CO. Currently, a majority of mail is destined outside the Grand Junction area to the rest of the world.
The investment in the Grand Junction facility is a part of the Postal Service’s 10-year Delivering for America (DFA) plan to improve organizational and operational processes and actively make the Postal Service an efficient, high-performing, world class logistics and delivery provider.
The Postal Service will invest up to $6.3 million in the Grand Junction LPC, which will result in expanded and streamlined package and mail processing and distribution capabilities for the facility. These investments include $2.4 million for modernization efforts and deferred maintenance. For example, these funds will be used for new workplace amenities for Postal Service employees such as new lighting and renovated bathrooms and breakrooms. To help improve delivery services, investments totaling $3.9 million will be made to locate a Flex Rover Sorter Quad into the facility.
The Postal Service also announced there will be no career layoffs as part of this initiative. All career bargaining unit reassignments, as well as any reduction in any number of pre-career employees, will be made in accordance with respective collective bargaining agreements. As part of its strategy, the Postal Service is enhancing package processing and shipping capacity, which may result in increased plant activity and the need for additional support in the future.
Once changes are implemented, Business mail entry, Post Office, station, and branch retail services are not expected to change, and delivery services will be enhanced. After the Grand Junction facility is converted to an LPC, it is anticipated that it will be able to mail and ship packages, manual letters and flats. The LPC is also anticipated to offer express services and accept bulk and permit mail.
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Coverage of U.S. Post Office issues from Steamboat Radio News and some statewide media outlets
- April 15, 2024 — U.S. SENATORS WRITE POSTMASTER DEJOY ABOUT IMPACT ON MAIL IF GRAND JUNCTION FACILITY IS CONSOLIDATED
- March 28, 2024 — LOCAL POST OFFICE SAYS TO EXPECT MORE HOME DELIVERY AND 80488 BOXES ARE ENDING
- March 15, 2024 — U.S. SENATORS SEND STRONG LETTER TO USPS POSTMASTER GENERAL DEJOY
- March 7, 2024 — USPS SUBCONTRACTORS FROM STEAMBOAT AND CRAIG SAY THEY HAVEN’T BEEN PAID SINCE OCTOBER
- Jan. 3, 2024 — USPS POSTMASTER GENERAL RECEIVES DEMANDS FOR ACTION FROM AUDIT REPORT
- Dec. 27, 2023 – 1093 FORMS ARE BEING TURNED IN FOR A FREE P.O. BOX IN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
- Dec. 6, 2023 — US POSTMASTER GENERAL RELEASES AUDIT ON MOUNTAIN TOWNS
- Nov. 27, 2023 — CONGRESSMAN NEGUSE CONFIRMS IMPENDING P.O. BOX REFUNDS
- Nov. 19, 2023 — POSTAL PROBLEMS IN CRAIG ARE BEING ADDRESSED
- Nov. 19, 2023 — USPS PROCESS TAKES NEXT STEP FOR LOCALS TO GET FREE P.O. BOXES
- Jan. 31, 2023 — CONGRESSMAN JOE NEGUSE CALLS FOR ACTION TO MAIL PROBLEMS IN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
- March 8, 2023 — STEAMBOAT SPRINGS POST OFFICE UPDATE FOR MARCH 8, 2023
- March 7, 2023 U.S. SENATORS MEET WITH POSTMASTER GENERAL
- Feb. 17, 2023 – STEAMBOAT SPRINGS POST OFFICE UPDATE FOR FRIDAY, FEB. 17
- Feb. 13, 2023 – LATEST UPDATES FROM STEAMBOAT SPRINGS POST OFFICE
- March 6, 2023 — Denver 7 News Story Steamboat resident says pay for rural mail carriers doesn’t match U.S. Postal Service’s promotion
- March 4, 2023 – 9News Colorado Mountain towns suing
- March 1, 2023 — CBS 4 Mountain towns pick attorneys to potentially sue USPS
- Jan. 31, 2023 — Fox 31 USPS calls on workers to come in and help Steamboat
- Feb. 8, 2023 — Corrigan wants answers to PO Problem
- Feb. 6, 2023 — Should you be paying for your PO Box in Steamboat?
- Jan. 31, 2023 — Congressman Neguse calls for action
- Jan. 30, 2023 — Volunteers start cleaning the post office
- Jan. 25, 2023 — Icy Ruts cause huge damage to cares in PO Parking Lot
- Jan. 11, 2023 – 9News Story Some Steamboat Springs residents say they haven’t received mail for weeks
- Jan. 11, 2023 – STEAMBOAT SPRINGS POST OFFICE UPDATE