Members of the N.M. Delegation Demand USPS Take Urgent Action to Restore Full-Service Postal Operations in Chimayó

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) sent a letter to Postmaster General David Steiner urging the United States Postal Service (USPS) to take all necessary actions to prioritize and ensure that the rebuilding project for USPS operations in Chimayó is completed in 2026.

This letter follows the USPS's repeated failure to provide a clear timeline or adequate information about the construction of a new Chimayó Post Office, which burned down nearly three years ago. The N.M. Delegation has continually fought to restore a permanent, full-service post office in Chimayó, where it has long served as a cornerstone of the community.

"Since the Chimayó Post Office burned down on February 14, 2023, we have persistently called on the United States Postal Service to reinstate operations in Chimayó. Time and again, however, our requests-and those of the community-have been met with a troubling lack of urgency," the lawmakers wrote in their letter to Postmaster General David Steiner.

"Despite the extensive correspondence, community engagement, and ongoing inquiries initiated by our offices, we remain concerned about USPS's limited responsiveness to the needs of the Chimayó community. We recognize that rebuilding a facility requires time; however, more than two years have passed, and the community has received only broad assurances," the lawmakers continued. "In the absence of direct and transparent communication from USPS, members of the community understandably question the status of the project and whether progress is being made."

The lawmakers concluded by demanding urgent action: "We strongly urge USPS to prioritize and expedite the rebuilding of the Chimayó Post Office and to commit publicly to a clear, achievable timeline for completion in 2026. The community of Chimayó deserves transparent communication and timely action from USPS."

Read the full letter here and below:

Dear Postmaster General Steiner,

With the end of the year approaching, we write as a delegation to strongly urge the United States Postal Service to take all necessary actions to prioritize and ensure that the rebuilding project for USPS operations in Chimayó is completed in 2026.

Since the Chimayó Post Office burned down on February 14, 2023, we have persistently called on the United States Postal Service to reinstate operations in Chimayó. Time and again, however, our requests-and those of the community-have been met with a troubling lack of urgency.

On May 23, 2023, we sent a joint letter expressing our concerns regarding the continued absence of postal services in Chimayo. One year after the disastrous fire, we again urged USPS to publicly communicate its commitment and timeline for establishing a new, permanent post office for the community. In response dated March 6, 2024, the Senior Government Relations Representative stated that the construction of a new postal facility requires a minimum of 12 to 18 months, as outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations. Earlier this year, on the two-year anniversary of the Chimayó Post Office burning down-the delegation once more urged USPS to prioritize the return of a full-service post office, emphasizing its ongoing importance to the residents of this beautiful community.

Despite the extensive correspondence, community engagement, and ongoing inquiries initiated by our offices, we remain concerned about USPS's limited responsiveness to the needs of the Chimayó community. We recognize that rebuilding a facility requires time; however, more than two years have passed, and the community has received only broad assurances. In the absence of direct and transparent communication from USPS, members of the community understandably question the status of the project and whether progress is being made.

On November 3, 2025, USPS informed Senator Ben Ray Luján's office that the USPS is now negotiating a lease with Santa Fe County and the Board of Finance. The selected location is 205 Juan Medina Road, the former Santa Fe County Head Start facility. While the space will require a buildout, USPS stated that it cannot provide a completion timeline until the lease is finalized.

Additionally, we were notified by Santa Fe County having finalized its portion of the lease. The agreement now awaits action from USPS. The Deputy Manager also noted that once the lease is finalized the County will complete minor building repairs before turning the property over to USPS for redevelopment.

We respectfully request clarification on when USPS anticipates completing these lease negotiations and providing a timeline for the project's completion.

We have previously urged former Postmaster General DeJoy to expedite the rebuilding of the Chimayó Post Office, but those efforts did not result in meaningful progress. With your leadership, we hope to work with you to ensure that USPS prioritizes this project and takes the necessary steps to achieve its timely completion for the Chimayó community.

To that end, we strongly urge USPS to prioritize and expedite the rebuilding of the Chimayó Post Office and to commit publicly to a clear, achievable timeline for completion in 2026. The community of Chimayó deserves transparent communication and timely action from USPS.

We appreciate your attention to this critical matter affecting our constituents and urge USPS to provide a timely and detailed response outlining the concrete steps it will take to fulfill its obligations to the residents of Chimayó.

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