The benefits of the direct-mail industry
Re: “The high cost of junk mail in Colorado,” Feb. 19 Open Forum.
Chris Ervin’s arguments appear logical and compelling. However, here are important facts to consider:
1. Yes, 50 percent of the mail the Postal Service handles now is direct- mail related. The problem is, banning it would directly result in the loss of jobs to many of the 11,000 postal workers in Colorado. It would also make the cost of first-class mail skyrocket and might result in the closure of post offices in smaller communities. Third-class mail keeps the cost of postage low for first-class and non-profit mail.
2. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a vast majority of advertising mail is printed on recycled papers, and that which isn’t recycled contributes less than 0.005 of all landfills/dumps.
3. Identity theft due to mail theft is less than 5 percent of overall identity theft cases. Much of it comes from the Internet and what does come from the mail involves stolen first-class mail containing account numbers.
4. The direct mail industry in Colorado is a $9.2 billion business, involving more than 150,000 jobs. Is Colorado prepared to eliminate the jobs of printers, postal workers, agency workers, mailing firm employees and employees of the businesses who rely on this marketing channel for customers?
5. People who do not wish to receive unsolicited mail already have the option to be added to the “Do Not Mail” list maintained by the Direct Marketing Association in New York.
Susan Fantle, Denver
Trinidad: Not just a gas station along I-25
Re: “Give historic Trinidad a try,” Feb. 11 Colorado Sunday feature.
What a joy and delight it was to pick up my Sunday Denver Post and read about my hometown, Trinidad. Thanks to reporter Douglas Brown and graphic artist Cindy Enright for the article.
So often fellow Coloradans will say, “I stop there for gas on my way to Albuquerque or Denver.” Unfortunately, few stop to see what a great community we are. We are a historic community boasting many beautiful Victorian homes and buildings. We have virtually no smog and we can claim to be the fresh air capital of the United States. Our water is crystal clear. We are also a friendly community, as we recently experienced with the terrific recent snowstorms. Neighbors called neighbors to check on their well-being.
We are a diverse community with a proud Hispanic culture as well as the influences of the immigrants who settled here from Italy, Austria and other countries to work the mines. It was a pleasure that Trinidad was recognized by The Post at times, as we feel that we are unknown by our northern neighbors.
There is a sign about 10 miles north of Trinidad on Interstate 25 that says, “Trinidad, we saved the best for last.” We feel we really are the best and we can say that we are the last frontier in Colorado. We will grow and we invite you to visit our town. You will not be disappointed.
Phyllis Moniot, Trinidad
Global climate report
Re: “Climate report on deadline,” Feb. 18 Perspective article.
How ironic that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change would issue its report on Feb. 2. Of course, we all know the world-famous meteorologist Punxsutawney Phil issued his prediction that same day. Phil’s prediction is good for only six weeks, though.
I am really kidding, but the article in your paper by Kevin Trenberth made it sound like it was “science by consensus.” In the history of science, consensus is usually wrong. Copernicus, Avogadro, Mendel and Einstein all went against the “tide of ignorance,” and ultimately their theories were proven true.
I don’t know if the current warming trend is 100 percent caused by man or just 10 percent. I read the IPCC summary, and it seemed pretty wishy-washy to me. I will be anxious to read the final technical report, which will hopefully show all the data or at least reference to a source.
Pete Abbott, Littleton
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