Press Releases

Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) urged Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to replace the post office in Chimayo, New Mexico that burned down. 

She states in the letter that Chimayo residents currently have to travel all the way to Santa Cruz to pick up their mail, a 20 minute journey over narrow roads. She also highlights that USPS officials had promised to establish a temporary location in Chimayo in February, but in the month since that meeting, this has not occurred. She hopes to see the residents of Chimayo get their Post Office back as soon as possible.

In the letter, Congresswoman Leger Fernández asks the USPS to (1) establish a temporary replacement location where mail can be securely picked up in Chimayo as quickly as possible; and (2) announce its intention to permanently establish a replacement Post Office in Chimayo. 

Read the full text of the letter below or HERE.

Dear Postmaster DeJoy: 

On February 14, 2023, the building that the United States Postal Service (“USPS”) leased for the Chimayo, New Mexico Post Office burned to the ground. Hundreds of residents living in the Chimayo community lost their convenient and secure means of receiving their mail. Currently, individuals must pick up mail at the Santa Cruz Post Office located in the adjacent community. Traveling along narrow roads to and from the Santa Cruz Post Office can take more than 20 minutes for some USPS customers. Many residents find this extremely burdensome. I write to ask that the USPS (1) establish a temporary replacement location where mail can be securely picked up in Chimayo as quickly as possible; and (2) announce its intention to permanently establish a replacement Post Office in Chimayo. 

In a briefing with the New Mexico-Arizona USPS District on Thursday, February 16, USPS told my office that it would establish a temporary location in Chimayo where customers can pick up mail. It has been almost a month since we had this briefing. Not only has USPS failed to establish this location, but it has also failed to provide the community with any indication about the relevant timeframe. The lack of clear communication from USPS has left Chimayo community members extremely frustrated.

 Additionally, USPS should publicly announce their commitment to permanently establish a new Post Office in Chimayo. The community must know with certainty that USPS services will permanently return to Chimayo and USPS will not abandon this community. 

This community is rural, underserved, and heavily Latino. USPS has done an excellent job delivering mail to similar communities across the country. From the founding of the country, the USPS has earned the trust of rural communities across America by providing reliable and essential communication services. Chimayo residents depend on their post office for receiving checks, medications, and other important mail. Many are senior citizens, retired veterans, and multi-generational families who have long depended on the Chimayo Post Office. In many ways the post office is the heart of this small, rural yet vibrant community. 

I look forward to your response and learning how you intend to continue to serve the Chimayo community. 

Sincerely,

###