By Shannon Lukens.
Postal updates from Steamboat Springs and Craig…
No Postmaster in Craig
First, the postmaster in Craig is “no longer available.” Alex Garza, the postmaster in Steamboat Springs, says it could be temporary but for now, he is out. When finalized and confirmed, the search for a new postmaster for Craig will begin. Garza says a different postmaster from Meeker is helping fill in through the transition. Two new clerks and two new carriers have been hired and that postmaster is training them for the Craig Post Office.
P.O. Box Refunds
Refunds for post office boxes in Steamboat Springs are being processed for about 500 Steamboat Springs postal customers. If you are one of them, you should have received a note in your P.O. Box from local Postmaster Garza. It’s attached to a Form 3533 that you’re to fill out and drop off with a window clerk. The note from the local postmaster says money orders will be processed next week and you’ll get that refund in your P.O. Box.
Those refunds are being given because local postal customers have been charged for a P.O. Box for multiple years in some cases, when they had no other way to get their mail. The refund is $366, which is the price of the “free” box for the past two years. Some have already received their money orders and the rest should be complete within a month.
Garza says some people requesting refunds do not qualify. If you did NOT receive a notice in your P.O. Box this week, then you are not being considered for a refund.
Cleaning Help Needed
Garza says the Steamboat Springs post office is again having a problem with cleaning. This happened in the last couple of years, when there wasn’t a cleaning crew, before Garza was hired. Trash cans were removed from the lobby and P.O. Box area. Garza says there was a local company contracted to clean but that has ended due to “policy and contractual regulations.”
Garza says USPS has been advertising to hire a custodian for several weeks but no one has applied. He says he has asked customers to once again take their mail home and not throw it away in the trash bins at the post office but not everyone is doing that. He says he has come in early before “and found customers cleaning up.”
Garza adds, “It is embarrassing, to be honest. But I am trying to hire someone.”
Prospective applicants can apply online at JOB SEARCH. Once there, search Colorado and Steamboat Springs.
This weekend, Garza will be adding three clerk positions to the job search website. He says right now, they are down to five clerks with seven vacant positions. “So right now, it is a struggle, but we are trying to get staffed before summer.”
Clark Postmaster
He added that Rachel in Clark is transferring out and they are working on getting replacements.
Problem parking because of Old Town Hot Springs
Garza also asks that people not park in the post office parking lot, if you are working out or visiting next door at Old Town Hot Springs. This is during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. He says they have put up signs that say the parking lot is for postal patrons only, and so has OTHS. He says one sign on the bridge was thrown in the creek. Steamboat Springs Police will be helping with information on parking enforcement companies. We have also reached out to Old Town Hot Springs for comment on how they will remind their patrons to not park at the post office parking lot.
Old Town Hot Springs sends the following regarding members and guests who park at the post office:
“We have worked closely with the postmaster in the past to clearly communicate with members and guests that there is no OTHS parking at the post office. When the postmaster wanted to tow cars in January, we were supportive and posted signs to warn folks that towing would start. When parking becomes an issue, the postmaster contacts our team, and we push communication out. Communication includes but is not limited to:
- Signage posted on the walkways coming from the post office lot
- Signage posted on our front doors
- Member Newsletters
However, we always communicate where folks are allowed to park via our website and through our guest services team. Our front desk answers calls all the time directing folks where to park as well as handing our parking maps like the one found on our website.
If additional measures are needed, we’re happy to collaborate with the post office to find a solution.”
Contact with officials
Garza also said he receives a weekly phone call for a status update from the offices of Senator Bennet and Senator Hickenlooper. Garza also went to Washington DC for a postmaster conference as he is the vice president for Colorado of United Postmasters and Managers of America.
80488 Post Office Boxes
Garza confirms that everyone who had an 80488 post office box has closed out their boxes and been given a new one on the 80477 side of the post office.
More on the Story — Refunds, parking problems, and no postmaster in Craig are the latest Post Office updates
Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue is hiring seasonal wildland firefighters. Seasonal housing is available as is an end-of-season bonus. Apply Here
The State of Colorado is giving $2.4 million to 26 non-motorized trail projects. Routt County Riders was awarded a $55,985 grant to add two people to the trail crew that maintains about 400 miles of trails in the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears district of the US Forest Service. The crew will work on lower elevation trails. They’ll also organize a volunteer event day to clear trails in the Dry Lake area.
The Headwaters Trails Alliance also received $89,040 to fund a four-to-six person crew to maintain 450 miles of trail in Grand County.
More on the Story — Routt County Riders awarded grant to add to trail crew
The softball program and the rodeo athletic program at Colorado Northwestern Community College are both being discontinued. CNCC sites longstanding challenges with roster numbers and coaching. CNCC has campuses in Craig and Rangely.
More on the Story — CNCC ends softball and rodeo programs
The male and female osprey that live along the Yampa River next to the Botanic Park have returned to their nest. It is the 10th consecutive year the nesting pair have raised their family and called the Yampa Valley home.
More on the Story — The osprey have returned to their nest along the Yampa River
Members of the Moffat County Board of County Commissioners are having a workshop today with representatives from the Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado Parks and Wildlife regarding wildlife crossings.
Steamboat Dance Theatre presents Metamorphosis, Thursday through Saturday. There are 19 numbers with about 200 local dancers. It’s at Steamboat Springs High School. Tickets are at SteamboatDancetheatre.org
Tennis players from the Univ. of Colorado tennis team have been in Steamboat Springs. They participated in a fun camp for kids and adults and an intrasquad exhibition match at the Steamboat Springs Tennis Center.
It is “Strings School Days” tonight at Strings in Steamboat Springs. This is a concert in collaboration with musician Alpin Hong, that includes the Steamboat Springs Middle School Band and the band from Steamboat Mountain School. The show starts at 7 p.m. at Strings and it is free.
A luncheon and presentation on “The Talk You’ll Never Regret Having,” is being presented by United Way of the Yampa Valley and REPS, which is Reaching Everyone Preventing Suicide. It’s at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 27. RSVP for the free event and learn how to be the friend, neighbor, or parent someone needs. No one should struggle alone. A QR Code is on the flyer.
A Youth Storytelling Slam is at 6 p.m. Thursday in Library Hall. These are the stories of local 4th-7th graders, performed by professional actors. The event is free. A storyteller with Colorado New Play Festival has spent 12 weeks working with Routt County students at the Boys and Girls Club of Steamboat Springs to craft their ideas into bright, imaginative stories. More Information
Sailor Sports… the Girls Soccer team has a home game Thursday. Our pre-game coverage on KTYV 105.7 Sports on FM starts at 5:30 p.m. and you can watch through our website. The Boys Lacrosse team is away tonight, against Castle View.
Check out what’s happening in the Yampa Valley on the Community Calendar on our website.
For the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline, call 970-824-1918.