HOEHNE, Colo. — In the small, close-knit town of Hoehne, Colorado, residents are growing increasingly frustrated with the conditions at their local post office, which has been plagued by cleanliness issues, mail delivery problems, and safety concerns.
Hoehne, located about 12 miles northeast of Trinidad, is a quiet town where people greet each other as they pass by. However, the heart of the town—the post office—is causing increasing distress among its few residents. The office, which also serves as a residence, is in poor condition, and many have voiced concerns over both the physical state of the building and the service they have received.
“It smells like cat pee,” said Elizabeth Montoya, a local resident. “I mean, it’s nasty. The floors are dirty. Everything’s dirty in there.”
Montoya was one of many who spoke to News5 about the deteriorating state of the post office. According to Mary Nicol, another concerned resident, the building hadn’t been cleaned for months. “It’s never been cleaned in there for two months, as far as I know,” she said. “Usually the wet sign is in the middle of the floor, the baskets full, and there’s mud and everything all over. The windows are filthy.”
Despite these concerns, it appears the problems began after the postmaster resigned on December 27, 2024. Many residents, including Nicol, believe that the former postmaster left due to the conditions within the building, including issues with heating, water, and cleanliness.
“It’s been terrible,” said Pete Jacobs, another resident. “We don’t have any important mail delivered anymore—no bank statements, no bills. Everything’s electronic now.”
In addition to the cleanliness issues, Hoehne residents are dealing with problems related to their mail. Many have reported missing or open mail, with some suspecting that their packages are not being handled with the care they expect. When complaints were made, some residents alleged that the postmaster from nearby Trinidad was dismissive and rude.
“He was very rude,” Montoya said of one such interaction. “I had a letter that was opened, one of my bills. I told him he needs to try to put the correct bills in the post office boxes… I don’t need people knowing what I owe or what I pay. Well, I was walking out, and [the postmaster] decided to slam the door on my back. I did not appreciate that at all.”
While residents are concerned about the lack of service, the physical condition of the post office itself has raised more serious concerns. In June 2024, a building inspection by Las Animas County found the structure to be unsafe. A letter from the county’s inspector outlined several code violations, including contamination from animal urine and feces, unsafe entryways, and inadequate separation between the post office and the adjacent residence.
Despite these findings, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) responded by stating that an inspection conducted by their district safety manager in July 2024 found no safety violations. USPS officials argued that no safety violations were identified during their inspection, although the concerns from the county’s building inspector were serious.
In addition to the inspection, two OSHA complaints were filed in 2024 regarding the facility’s unsafe conditions. The first complaint, filed in February, highlighted hazards such as slips and tripping risks due to a wooden entryway, water intrusion from a leaking roof, and an inoperable restroom. USPS responded by denying the claims, stating that the restroom had been operational during inspections and that the entryway did not pose a significant hazard.
A second complaint in July 2024 raised concerns about unsanitary conditions inside the post office. USPS conducted another inspection and concluded that the workplace was clean and well-maintained, dismissing the allegations of unsanitary conditions.
Despite these responses from USPS, local residents continue to voice their dissatisfaction. Many believe the resignation of the previous postmaster was a direct result of the poor working conditions. “If they would just treat her like a human… had maybe running water in the toilet, maybe electricity, like heat,” said Bernadine VanGordon, another resident. “That’s all she needed.”
Currently, USPS is looking to fill the vacant postmaster position in Hoehne. The Postal Service has listed an opening for a Postmaster Relief (PMR) position, which offers a starting salary of $16.97 per hour. The job posting remains open until March 3, 2025.
While the USPS has assured residents that complaints will be addressed, the ongoing issues have created a sense of frustration within the community. “We pay for our post office boxes,” said Nicol. “It’s not free. We should have the same rights as people in the cities.”
For residents of Hoehne, the lack of improvement in the post office’s conditions and service continues to be a source of concern, leaving many questioning how much longer they can rely on a facility that no longer meets their needs.
Residents are encouraged to submit feedback directly to USPS through their website or customer service line, but for many in this small town, the issues may need more immediate action.
