Lafayette, CO — Following public reports that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) entered into an agreement with the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (“DOGE”), Congressman Joe Neguse and Colorado Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper penned a letter to the Acting Postmaster General urging him to ensure on-time and reliable mail delivery in rural and mountain communities along the Western Slope, and to ensure DOGE does not further exacerbate problematic mail delivery issues in these areas.
In their letter, the Colorado lawmakers highlighted how the implementation of DOGE’s “wrecking ball” approach to cutting government could erode the USPS universal service mission to provide the nation with reliable, affordable, universal mail service. They also called to attention the continuous impacts of staffing shortages, pushing back on further cuts to the workforce.
“As you are well aware, many rural and mountain communities on Colorado’s Western Slope have consistently faced challenges receiving on-time and reliable mail delivery despite the efforts of hardworking front-line USPS employees. We are concerned that these problems will only be exacerbated by the recently-announced partnership with DOGE, which so far has demonstrated a haphazard and irresponsible approach to change other federal agencies in the name of efficiency,” wrote Neguse, Bennet, and Hickenlooper. “DOGE’s efforts across numerous federal agencies across the nation have only led to increased chaos, uncertainty, and inefficiencies. While we understand your interest to proactively engage with DOGE to address inefficiencies within USPS, we have considerable concerns that there will, instead, be further mail delivery disruptions for our constituents.”
During his time serving the people of Northern and Western Colorado, Congressman Neguse has repeatedly implored the USPS to address ongoing delays in mail services occurring in the state’s mountain communities—including requesting the USPS provide alternate methods to pick up mail, expand opportunities for customers to access their PO boxes, aggressively recruit new staff, and meet with the affected towns’ mayors and county leaders. Each of these actions were prompted by citizens’ concerns about the agency’s ability to provide timely delivery of medications, bills, checks, passports, and other essential items—concerns that DOGE interference could further exacerbate.
Read the lawmakers’ full letter HERE
