Proposed bill could give these Colorado areas a new zip code
A bill is making its way through Congress which requires the postal service to give unique zip codes to several small Colorado towns and cities, along with other areas across the county.
DENVER (KDVR) — A bill is making its way through Congress and would require the postal service to give unique zip codes to several small Colorado towns and cities, along with other areas across the county.
Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert is sponsoring H.R. 8753, "To direct the United States Postal Service to designate single, unique ZIP Codes for certain communities, and for other purposes," which was introduced in June and passed through the House on Wednesday.
The bill was proposed as many communities don't have unique zip codes within the postal service system. Boebert said during a U.S. House of Representatives meeting that this may seem like a "niche" issue to some, but it has lasting effects on the communities.
"Communities that do not have a unique zip code within the postal service system often experience associated problems that include loss of economic development, loss of sales tax, unjustifiable high insurance rates, tax remittance and commercial licensing issues, diminished public safety and reduced emergency response times, identity issues and efficiency issues," said Boebert.
Boebert said zip codes can affect anything from first responders going to the wrong address to loss of revenue. According to Boebert, the city of Lonetree, her new district, is losing an estimated $5 million in sales tax revenue each year because of the issue.
While Congress has passed bills on postal accountability before, Boebert said the current process is for the towns and cities to petition for a zip code, although it's rarely approved. If the petition is denied, Bobert said it could take up to 10 years to appeal the decision.
These areas could get a new zip code
During the meeting, Boebert proposed a bill that would require the postal service to recognize 51 communities in this system, including the Colorado areas of Silver Cliff, Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Severance, Greenwood Village and Superior.
However, according to the bill passed on Wednesday, the U.S. Postal Service would be required to designate a single, unique ZIP Code for 31 communities across the country, including Castle Pines, Centennial, Lone Tree, Silver Cliff and Superior.
The bill passed through the House but still needs to go through the Senate and the president to become law.
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