House passes bill that might finally give Silver Cliff back its ZIP code

On December 11, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (D, CD-7) announced the passage of HR 8453, a bill that would restore a unique ZIP code to the town of Silver Cliff. The bill has gone on to the Senate.

HR 8453, which was introduced by U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert (R, CD-3) in June of this year, would bestow or restore unique ZIP codes to 31 communities around the country, including several others in Colorado. Pettersen co-sponsored the bill, along with 12 other co-sponsors from both parties. Silver Cliff Mayor Buck Wenzel said that the secret to the bill’s eventual passage through the House depended on its finally garnering bipartisan support. (Boebert’s bill was originally co-sponsored by only Republican members.) Wenzel has been advocating for the restoration of Silver Cliff’s ZIP code for a number of years, starting his efforts with then-CD-3 Representative Scott Tipton and continuing his advocacy with both Boebert and then Pettersen after Custer County’s redistricting into CD-7.

The town of Silver Cliff lost its unique ZIP code in 1991 and has been forced to use the 81252 ZIP Code of the neighboring town of Westcliffe since then. Pettersen’s release quotes Wenzel pointing out the deleterious results of the switch: “In addition to losing our identity, the town of Silver Cliff has lost thousands and thousands of dollars in sales taxes from online, out-of-county and out-of-state sales, and has caused serious mail delivery issues since we lost our ZIP Code. The passage of this bill will ensure that the sales taxes from our residents will be applied to our town so that we can continue to provide services – roads, streets, parks, trails, museum, senior care – that they deserve. We are grateful to our Congresswoman for listening to our plight, caring, and acting on this crucial issue that has adversely affected the Town of Silver Cliff for the past 33 years.”

Contacted for comment after HR 8453’s passage, Wenzel said that he wanted to wait until the bill clears the Senate and becomes law before expounding further on the town’s plans. However, he did share that he had posted an update on the town’s Facebook page, which reads in part: “We are extremely appreciative and grateful to Rep. Brittany Pettersen and Rep. Lauren Boebert for working together with their colleagues to restore our ZIP Code, as well as many other towns’ ZIP Codes across the United States. Please be assured there will be no cost to anyone for this ZIP Code restoration, and a new Post Office is not needed. We will still be part of the Silver Cliff – Westcliffe U.S. Post Office on Bassick Place in Westcliffe.” Included in the post were photos of mailboxes from the old Silver Cliff Post Office, which are currently housed on the second floor of the Silver Cliff Museum.

Wenzel also said that HR 8453 had been taken up in the Senate by Colorado Senator Michael Bennet.

Due to the near government shutdown before Christmas, the bill will have to wait to be seen in the new year with a new Congress. However, more communities across the country have lost their zipcodes have been joining support for the bill, and it is hoped that in 2025, Silver Cliff might have its old zipcode back.

– Elliot Jackson

(This article was originally published in December 2024. Subscribe to the print edition of the Tribune so you never miss out on timely news that impacts you!)