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Gilpin County residents urge action after surge in mailbox thefts; commissioners decline steering committee
Summary
A resident told Gilpin County commissioners that weekly mailbox thefts and identity‑theft cases in her neighborhood require coordinated action. The board declined to form a county steering committee but agreed to post guidance and pursue federal and USPS follow‑up and local law‑enforcement reporting.
Elizabeth Penrose, a resident of Gilpin County, told commissioners that her Aston Springs neighborhood experienced an uptick in mailbox theft this year, describing thefts occurring “at least once a week” and survey results she said found neighbors reporting thefts or victimization. Penrose urged the county to create a steering committee to coordinate funding and installation of USPS‑approved locking cluster mailboxes and to assist affected residents.
Why it matters: Penrose said the thefts have led to identity theft, stolen medications and financial losses. She asked the county for help navigating postmaster coordination, federal reporting and funding options so that affected residents could opt into secure cluster boxes without requiring a county‑wide mandate.
County response: Commissioners and staff recommended several practical steps instead of forming a county task force. They advised residents to report incidents to the sheriff’s office to support investigations and to contact federal representatives and the U.S. Postal Service. The chair said staff would post information about who to contact and follow up with congressional staff and the DA’s office.
What residents said: Penrose described multiple theft categories, including “identity theft, felony fraud, passport theft” and said one resident faced nearly $20,000 in fraudulent charges after alleged identity theft. She told the board that common workarounds such as mail holds and delivery requests were not reliably preventing theft in her neighborhood.
What the county said: Staff and commissioners said public works has been coordinating with the post office on specific neighborhood cluster box requests but that the postmaster must approve cluster‑box installations. Commissioners noted budget limits and suggested targeting assistance for the most impacted neighborhoods rather than paying for mandatory, county‑wide installations.
Next steps: The board did not create a steering committee. Commissioners asked staff to post guidance about reporting and options, continue outreach with the postmaster and federal offices, and encourage residents to submit formal complaints so those agencies can act. The sheriff’s office and the U.S. Postal Service were identified as the appropriate agencies for law‑enforcement and postal action, respectively.
Ending: Commissioners thanked Penrose and residents for organizing and said they would follow up with federal and postal contacts to see what assistance might be available.
