Members of the N.M. Delegation Demand Answers from USPS Regarding Delay in Rebuilding the Chimayó Post Office

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) wrote to Postmaster General David Steiner demanding that the United States Postal Service (USPS) provide answers and an update regarding the delay in the rebuilding project for the Chimayó Post Office. This letter follows the USPS’s announcement of delays to the timeline regarding the construction of a new Chimayó Post Office, which burned down over three years ago. Recently, USPS stated that the completion date has been delayed to Spring of 2027 from the expected completion of the fall of 2026. The N.M. Delegation has consistently fought to restore a permanent, full-service post office in Chimayó, where it has long served as a cornerstone of the community. “Our delegation remains fully committed to advocating for our constituents who depend on these essential services. We call on the United States Postal Service (USPS) to provide a detailed explanation for this delay, along with an updated, definitive timeline for when full services will be restored to the community,” wrote the lawmakers . “This further delay is deeply alarming and unacceptable, given that the community was previously assured operations would be fully restored by fall 2026,” continued the lawmakers . “Chimayo residents have waited long enough; they deserve transparency, a direct response, and real commitment,” concluded the lawmakers . Read the full letter here and below : Dear Postmaster General Steiner, We are profoundly disappointed by the United States Postal Service’s decision to delay the critical rebuilding project for the Chimayó Post Office. Our delegation remains fully committed to advocating for our constituents who depend on these essential services. We call on the United States Postal Service (USPS) to provide a detailed explanation for this delay, along with an updated, definitive timeline for when full services will be restored to the community. It has been now more than three years since the Chimayó Post Office burned down on February 12, 2023. Throughout this period, our delegation has consistently urged the USPS to provide transparent updates on reinstating local operations. Regrettably, we have only received broad assurances. In the absence of direct communication from USPS, constituents understandably question whether progress is being made. The community of Chimayó deserves transparent communication from USPS. On December 12, 2025, we sent a joint letter to Postmaster General David Steiner urging USPS to take all necessary actions to prioritize and ensure that the rebuilding of the Chimayó Post Office is completed in 2026. We also requested that USPS publicly commit to a clear, achievable timeline for the community of Chimayó. USPS responded with a letter which stated that postal officials completed lease negotiations with Santa Fe County for the Postal Service to occupy the space located at 205 Juan Medina Road in Chimayó. They also mentioned that since the lease has been finalized, the Design and Construction team will begin the postal infrastructure buildout and can expect completion by fall 2026. Recently, we requested USPS provide an update on the Chimayó facility, only to be informed that USPS is still in the construction award phase, with a new projected completion date of spring 2027. This further delay is deeply alarming and unacceptable, given that the community was previously assured operations would be fully restored by fall 2026. Moving the timeline yet again inflicts undue hardship on the residents who rely on these services daily. Therefore, we urge USPS to brief the delegation no later than July 16, 2026, on the latest setback, along with a concrete, binding timeline for the project’s completion. Chimayo residents have waited long enough; they deserve transparency, a direct response, and real commitment. We appreciate your attention to this critical matter affecting our constituents and urge USPS to prioritize this project and adequately take the necessary steps to provide full- service post office operations. Sincerely, ###