Congresswoman Lauren Boebert introduced a bill to benefit Colorado communities by providing unique Zip Codes for cities and towns throughout the country including the Colorado communities of Silver Cliff, Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Centennial, and Superior.
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-03) said, “More than 30 communities throughout America are being negatively impacted from not having their own Zip Code. These municipalities deserve consistent mail service, their fair share of sales tax revenue, and the other economic benefits associated with having their own Zip Code. My bill will solve a host of 'real world' problems for these cities and towns by finally providing them with a definitive, representative and accurate Zip Code.”
Silver Cliff Mayor Buck Wenzel stated, “This bill would restore the Town of Silver Cliff’s rightful identity and will guarantee that sales tax is properly distributed and received by our town and not by others. Silver Cliff’s Zip Code was arbitrarily and capriciously removed from use in 1991 and our town was forced to use another town's Zip Code. As such, the identity of our town was stolen and to date we have suffered hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost sales taxes from online, out of county, and out of state sales. The citizens of Silver Cliff deserve for their taxes to be spent on the roads and other necessities that they use on a daily basis.”
“The City of Lone Tree fully supports the proposed ZIP Code bill for Colorado communities,” said City of Lone Tree Mayor Marissa Harmon. “This federal legislation will empower us to better meet local needs for our residents and businesses, enhance efficiencies of service delivery, and strengthen our distinct community identities.”
“The creation of a unique Zip Code would ensure sales tax is properly collected and reinvested into our community’s critical infrastructure and services,” said Castle Pines Mayor Tracy Engerman. “It would also help alleviate resident concerns about inconsistent postal deliveries.”
City of Centennial Mayor Stephanie Piko stated, “Establishing a single zip code for communities would enhance their community identities and address challenges such as emergency management, public safety, business attraction and retention, insurance coverage, and mail delivery, which are beyond the communities' control."
Background:
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert introduced H.R. 8753, to direct the United States Postal Service to designate single, unique ZIP Codes for certain communities. Read the full text of the bill HERE.
The Zip Code system was instituted in America in the 1960s. The Postal Service utilizes the zip code system to deliver mail, but it is also heavily used and relied on by economic developers, insurers and emergency personnel amongst others. Communities that do not have a unique Zip Code often experience associated problems that include: loss of economic development, loss of sales tax, unjustifiably high insurance rates, tax remittance and commercial licensing issues, diminished public safety and reduced emergency response times, identity issues, and efficiency issues.
For example, first responders often go to the wrong streets and people needing help experience delays due to Zip Code issues that would be addressed by this legislation.
Small towns and cities can petition the Postal Service for a new Zip Code but it is rarely approved and if it is denied they cannot appeal this decision for up to 10 years. Congress has intervened on these matters and last passed a law enacting four new Zip Codes through the Post Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006.
The 31 known communities throughout America experiencing Zip Code problems that would benefit from Congresswoman Boebert's legislation include:
(1) Silver Cliff, Colorado.
(2) Lone Tree, Colorado.
(3) Castle Pines, Colorado.
(4) Centennial, Colorado.
(5) Superior, Colorado.
(6) Eastvale, California
(7) Goose Creek, Connecticut.
(8) Scotland, Connecticut.
(9) Estero, Florida.
(10) Ft. Myers, Florida.
(11) Hollywood, Florida.
(12) Miami Lakes, Florida.
(13) Ocoee, Florida.
(14) Oakland Park, Florida.
(15) The Villages, Florida.
(16) Burr Ridge, Illinois.
(17) Urbandale, Iowa.
(18) Carmel, Indiana.
(19) Swanzey, New Hampshire.
(20) Kinnelon, New Jersey.
(21) Flanders, New York.
(22) Glendale, New York.
(23) Riverside, New York.
(24) Northampton, New York.
(25) Sargent, Texas.
(26) Fairlawn, Virginia.
(27) Caledonia, Wisconsin.
(28) Franklin, Wisconsin.
(29) Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin.
(30) Somers, Wisconsin.
(31) Mills, Wyoming.
Current cosponsors of Congresswoman Boebert’s H.R. 8753 include: Rep. Byron Donalds (FL-19), Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Rep. Nick LaLota (NY-01), Rep. Troy Nehls (TX-22)
Rep. Bryan Steil (WI-01).
Congresswoman Boebert also introduced legislation last Congress to try to solve Silver Cliff’s Zip Code problem. Read more about that effort HERE.
