Bill to create no-junk-mail list faces surprising foe: post office

Stuart Steers, Rocky Mountain News

Monday, February 12, 2007

A news conference called Sunday to promote a bill that would allow consumers to opt out of receiving junk mail was enlivened when a representative of the U.S. Postal Service showed up to challenge the bill's sponsor.

Rep. Sara Gagliardi, D-Arvada, plans to introduce a bill today that would establish a statewide registry of people who don't want to receive unsolicited mail from marketers. The registry would be modeled after the state's popular no-call list, which prevents telemarketers from making unwanted calls.

Gagliardi said the proposed law would relieve consumers who are tired of finding their mailboxes stuffed with junk. She emphasized that nonprofits and political groups would be exempt from the law.

"Every year in the U.S., over 100 million trees are destroyed to create junk mail," Gagliardi said.

But one woman's junk is another man's livelihood. Al DeSarro, a spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service, said so-called direct mail comprises 50 percent of the mail delivered by the post office.

He said Gagliardi's bill might cost thousands of postal workers their jobs and would hurt businesses that use the mail to reach new customers.

"We have thousands of organizations in Colorado that use mail to advertise and communicate," DeSarro said. "Consider the effect on your local video store and hair salon. This is an infringement of commerce and free speech."

DeSarro said that junk mail is recycled easily, helping to alleviate environmental concerns.

Under Gagliardi's bill, the state Public Utilities Commission would be charged with overseeing a registry of people who ask not to receive junk mail. Marketers who ignored the list could be fined up to $500.

Linda Rubright, a Denver woman who has campaigned against junk mail, appeared with Gagliardi. Rubright said she receives 6 pounds of junk mail a week and has tried without success to get marketing companies to take her name off their lists.

Jefferson County District Attorney Scott Storey also appeared to endorse the bill. Storey said that stealing mail is a common tactic in identity theft cases, and he hopes a reduction in junk mail would make it harder for criminals to rifle through people's mail.

"Once they get your mail and personal financial information, you can be a victim of identity theft," Storey said.

DeSarro challenged Storey, as well, saying that less than 5 percent of identity theft could be linked to stolen mail.

Gagliardi said she would meet with the U.S. Postal Service soon to try to address the agency's concerns with the bill.

steerss@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2282