When Rico residents wandered into the small post office in their town Monday, they received news that some of them didnt like.
Inside their post office boxes was a letter from the U.S. Postal Service stating their small post office with 400 P.O. boxes was under a discontinuance feasibility study. The letter stated that the study was looking at closing the office and moving customers into the Dolores Post Office.
Over the past several years, this office has experienced a steady decline in revenue and or volume, the letter stated.
Customers needs have changed dramatically, the letter went on, stating that revenue decline was in part due to people paying bills online, e-mailing and texting each other.
If the decision is made to discontinue the Rico Post Office, P.O. box holders will have the option to have their mail sent to the Dolores Post Office, the letter stated.
Rico Mayor Barbara Betts said that driving to Dolores every day to check their mail just wont work. For one, the drive takes 45 minutes on a good day and is 38 miles.
Thats a 1 1/2 hour trip. Thats just not a possibility for us, Betts said. When you live at 9,000 feet, weather is a huge factor. Winter comes early here, and it stays a long time.
Betts hopes that the town and the Post Office can come up with a solution.
They cant close the post office, she said. This is our community gathering place. This is where we find out if people are sick and if they need help.
The only school in Rico also is under review to be closed.
Residents and post office box holders were encouraged to fill out a survey and send it back to the review committee, along with written comments.
Written comments are due before Sept. 28 and need to be dropped off at the Rico Post Office or mailed to: District Discontinuance Coordinator, Colorado/Wyoming PFC, 7500 E 53rd Place, Denver, CO 80266-9998.
A call to the discontinuance coordinator was not returned before press time.
Other local post offices up for closure study are in Mesa Verde, Egnar and Yellow Jacket.
The Lewis and Pleasant View post offices were removed from study for closure in June and remain open.
