Duarte v. Gypsum Post Office

  • Latest Update: Jul 28, 2011
In the Courts, ACLU of Colorado logo on a blue background with a woman holding the scales of justice.

After receiving reports that the Gypsum Post Office has been refusing post office boxes to Latino residents who have presented clearly valid and legally sufficient identification (“ID”) on the grounds that the IDs are not “local” or are not “from here,” ACLU Attorney Rebecca T. Wallace wrote to the Postal Supervisor, asking for criteria used to determine whether an ID is acceptable.

Still lacking a response after more than two months, the ACLU followed with a second letter demanding immediate action granting a post office box to Griselda Duarte, a Mexican national residing in Gypsum who presented a valid US-issued B1/B2 visa, and a valid Mexican-issued photo ID.

In response, the Postal Supervisor confirmed that Ms. Duarte had presented sufficient identification and was allowed to renew her post office box.

Attorney(s):
Rebecca Wallace and Mark Silverstein

ACLU Demand Letter Gets Results- Gypsum Post Office Stops Discriminatory Practice

Griselda Duarte Finally Receives her Post Office Box

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ACLU Demands Gypsum Post Office Stop Discriminating Against Latinos

In a letter sent today, the ACLU of Colorado demands that the Gypsum Post Office stop discriminating against Latino residents who apply to rent a post office box. According to the ACLU, Latinos living in Gypsum who comply fully with applicable Postal Service regulations are arbitrarily and unjustifiably being denied the right to rent a post office box. Because the small Colorado mountain town provides no home mail delivery, a post office box is necessary for residents who want to receive any written correspondence through the mail.

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ACLU Demand Letter Gets Results- Gypsum Post Office Stops Discriminatory Practice

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ACLU Demands Gypsum Post Office Stop Discriminating Against Latinos

In a letter sent today, the ACLU of Colorado demands that the Gypsum Post Office stop discriminating against Latino residents who apply to rent a post office box. According to the ACLU, Latinos living in Gypsum who comply fully with applicable Postal Service regulations are arbitrarily and unjustifiably being denied the right to rent a post office box. Because the small Colorado mountain town provides no home mail delivery, a post office box is necessary for residents who want to receive any written correspondence through the mail.