Rep. Boebert Fights to Restore Silver Cliff, CO's Unique ZIP Code

Press Release

Today, Representative Lauren Boebert (CO-03) introduced a bill to restore Silver Cliff, Colorado's unique ZIP Code, 81249.

Rep. Lauren Boebert stated: "Rural communities deserve an identity, their fair share of sales tax revenue, and consistent mail service--just like everyone else. Silver Cliff used to have its own ZIP Code, but then it got taken away, and that has cost the community an estimated $500,000 in tax revenue, eroded its local identity, and damaged quality postal service. It's not fair for rural communities to be left behind, and it is time to right this wrong."

Background:

Custer County, Colorado currently consists of two ZIP Codes, 81252 and 81253. Formerly, there was a third--Silver Cliff's 81249--but in 1991, Silver Cliff lost its unique ZIP Code and was absorbed into Westcliffe's.

Silver Cliff's unique ZIP Code should be reinstated for the following reasons:

Identity -- Silver Cliff is an incorporated town under the State of Colorado, and it should be recognized as such. Additionally, Silver Cliff is expecting 100 new homes to be developed this year.
Sales Tax -- According to Silver Cliff Mayor Buck Wenzel, the ZIP Code issue caused the community to lose an estimated $500,000 in sales tax revenue over the last 30 years, since Colorado administers sales tax distributions through ZIP Code allocation. Since Silver Cliff is incorporated within Westcliffe's ZIP Code and neither town has a sales tax distribution agreement, Silver Cliff does not receive its rightful sales tax revenue.
Efficiency -- Although trivial, there are some postal issues caused by the ZIP Code overlap since Westcliffe and Silver Cliff share the same Main Street, and sometimes residents' mail is misdelivered.

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