Frederick board backs federal ZIP-code reform bill S.4505 to fix boundary problems affecting sales tax and services

The Town of Frederick Board of Trustees voted 5–0 on June 3 to approve Resolution 26R32 supporting Senate bill S.4505, a federal measure intended to simplify ZIP-code boundary reviews that the town and a multi-state coalition say cause sales-tax leakage, public-safety and identity issues.

Staff described a long-running local effort: Frederick has multiple ZIP codes (including 80504 shared with Longmont and 80516 shared with Erie), and staff said more than 60% of the town’s residents currently use ZIP codes not uniquely associated with Frederick. The staff presentation traced a multi-year effort that included a formal but often-denied request to the U.S. Postal Service for boundary review and the decision to join a broader coalition of jurisdictions seeking legislative remedies.

Town staff told trustees the coalition recently helped combine two bills into a cleaner package (S.4505) and assigned Frederick to lead outreach to jurisdictions in the coalition over the next three months; the work aims to persuade members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to fast-track the measure. Staff warned one senator recently “flipped” opposition and noted the coalition is preparing targeted trips and letters to respond. Staff also said another bill (referred to as the Lankford bill) may add accountability measures and transparency around boundary-review submittals.

Trustees discussed the need for an implementation plan should the bill pass, noting that implementation costs (software or process changes at USPS) are unsettled and that past denials can bar reapplication for a decade. The board directed staff to continue coalition work and to present a procedural plan at an upcoming meeting. The resolution passed unanimously.