Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) and Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, urging USPS to end the agency’s unacceptable delay and finally commit to a location for a permanent location for a new post office in Chimayó. The Chimayó Post Office was destroyed by a fire on February 14, 2023.

“Two years without a post office is too long,” the members wrote. “The post office was the heart of this small, rural, and vibrant community. The continued failure to rebuild or relocate the Chimayó Post Office shows a complete lack of leadership and responsibility. Since Chimayó community members do not hear from USPS, they do not believe USPS. They often raise feeling ignored and disrespected.”

Since the fire on February 14, 2023, the congressional delegation has repeatedly pressed USPS for answers and action, sending multiple letters and holding community meetings to make sure the voices of Chimayó residents are heard. Despite these efforts, USPS has yet to provide a concrete timeline or commitment to restoring service.

On January 24, 2025, the USPS told member offices that there is an ongoing evaluation of the “only viable location” for the new post office, with a final determination expected by the end of March. However, the Congresswoman and her colleagues have continuously demanded clarity on whether this means progress is being made or that USPS is considering abandoning the effort entirely without response.

“It is completely unacceptable to permanently relocate the Chimayó Post Office to Santa Cruz,” the letter states. “The additional distance and overcrowded nature of the Santa Cruz facility make this an unworkable solution. USPS must prioritize restoring a full-service post office to Chimayó without further delay.”

Congresswoman Leger Fernández also reaffirmed her commitment to hold USPS accountable and make sure that Chimayó residents get the services they deserve as she has been doing since the day the fire began.

Background: 

Since the Chimayó Post Office burned down on February 14, 2023, Congresswoman Leger Fernández has repeatedly urged USPS to return operations to Chimayó. On March 13, 2023, she first sent a letter to Postmaster General DeJoy to raise the need to replace the post office. On May 4, 2023 she held a public meeting at the Bennie Chavez Senior Center. Shortly after, on May 23, she sent a follow up letter with Senators Heinrich and Lujan expressing concerns about the lack of a post office in Chimayó. 

During a public meeting held on December 8, 2023, in Chimayó, where Congresswoman Leger Fernández brought residents and postal patrons together to voice their frustrations and concerns, the Congresswoman pressed USPS representatives for clarity on their plans. However, no satisfactory response regarding the timeline or process for establishing a new post office was provided then. On the one-year anniversary of the fire, the Congresswoman again sent a letter urging USPS to expedite the replacement of the Chimayó Post Office. 

Read the full text of the letter HERE.

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