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, 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.”

Jan. 30, 2023 — Volunteers start cleaning the post office 

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.”

 

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 along the bridge was thrown in the creek. Steamboat Springs Police will be helping with information on parking enforcement companies.

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.

 

Clark Postmaster

Garza says that Rachel in Clark is transferring out and they are working on getting replacements.

 

Coverage of U.S. Post Office issues from Steamboat Radio News and some statewide media outlets

• April 29, 2024 — Steamboat Springs Post Office continues to move 80488 boxes to 80477 side 
• 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