By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice
“While this may seem like a niche issue to some, it is extremely important to these cities and towns that asked for this bill to be put forward on their behalf,” Congresswoman Lauren Boebert told her colleagues on the House floor as she urged them to pass her bipartisan ZIP Code bill, H.R. 8753.
Boebert shared, “It is estimated that the city of Lone Tree, in my new district in Colorado, is losing about $5 million in sales tax revenue each year because of this ZIP Code issue.”
The bill promises far-reaching impacts, from strengthening local identities to improving emergency response times.
Boebert discussed its significance and the hurdles it faced before urging her colleagues to support it. “This is a very frustrating thing that we have to be in Congress debating and issuing legislation on,” she admitted. “I’m so proud to be here and have a part in that, but this is something that should have been done.”
For years, communities nationwide, including in Colorado, have sought unique ZIP codes, but faced denial.
“This started for me with the town of Silver Cliff in Colorado. It is one of the most beautiful towns, right next to Westcliffe, Colo., in Custer County,” she said. “In my first term, I represented Custer County before redistricting. This was one of the first issues I learned of as their representative.”
The problem, however, predates Boebert’s tenure in Congress.
“It was not the first time this issue was brought to a member of Congress. Two members of Congress prior to me had heard about this issue, had legislation on this issue and the legislation did not go forward,” she explained.
Boebert credited bipartisan collaboration in the House Oversight Committee for the bill’s success: “In the Oversight Committee, we do have jurisdiction over the United States Postal Service,” she noted. “I am so grateful for Chairman [James] Comer and Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, who have worked so diligently alongside me to get this legislation through committee with complete and full support of every member.”
Local leaders continue to praise Boebert’s work, saying this legislation will help meet key needs in their communities.
Castle Pines Mayor Tracy Engerman described the daily challenges her city has faced due to the lack of a unique ZIP code, from delayed emergency responses to misallocated sales tax revenue.
“I’ve seen firsthand how the lack of a unique ZIP code impacts our residents’ daily lives,” Engerman said. She applauded Boebert for tackling an issue that had been overlooked for years and emphasized the broader implications of the bill. “While Castle Pines supports any legislative effort to address ZIP code reform, we recognize this is a national issue affecting cities across America.”
Mayor Marissa Harmon of Lone Tree echoed this sentiment, calling the legislation “essential federal reform” that will allow her city and neighboring communities to better serve their residents. “This essential federal legislation will enable Lone Tree and our neighboring cities to more effectively service our residents and businesses, streamline our services, and enhance the unique identity of our community,” she said.
The rules of assigning ZIP codes haven’t changed much since the 1960s. Despite minor updates through the decades, communities face an uphill battle trying to get them. Most requests are denied, forcing communities to wait 10 years to reapply.
Shared or outdated zip codes have long created inefficiencies, from slower emergency response times and inflated insurance premiums to lost tax revenue and diminished public safety. Boebert’s bill aims to eliminate these obstacles.
Boebert, celebrating the milestone, remarked, “Residents in these communities will see clear benefits through a unique ZIP code for their town, from more of their tax revenue staying and benefitting their communities to improving the response times of first responders, which could save lives and reduce crime.”
She also highlighted the rarity of such legislative success: “We haven’t had an updated ZIP code bill pass through Congress in almost two decades. When small towns and communities in Colorado come to me, I listen, I take action and I get things done for Coloradans and Americans. I urge the U.S. Senate to take up H.R. 8753 expeditiously and get this bipartisan bill that unanimously passed the House signed into law.”
While Colorado communities, such as Silver Cliff, Severance and Centennial, stand to benefit, the bill also addresses ZIP code issues affecting towns across 27 states, including Eastvale, Calif., Estero, Fla. and Flanders, N.Y.
With unanimous passage by the House, the bill now moves to the Senate.
“This bipartisan success in the House is only the beginning — we need the Senate to step up and move this legislation forward,” Boebert said.