U.S. Postal Carriers In Colorado Can't Accept These Holiday Gifts

Grand Junction is counting down to Christmas with a busy holiday shopping season, and all of us are out trying to shop for the perfect gift for friends and loved ones. If we're lucky, there may be a little money for a gift for those who make our lives a little easier here in Colorado.

Perhaps you also purchase a small gift for your mail carrier, garbage collector, delivery driver, or even the local crossing guard near the school. Did you know that mail carriers can't always accept your gifts? They must observe a strict set of guidelines that we will outline below.

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The Spirit Of Christmas In Colorado

Some homeowners will tape a card with a gift inside to the lids of their trash cans during the holiday season so that these hard-working folks know they are appreciated. I'm not a homeowner, but I did get a Christmas card for the person who works at the gas station. Do you buy small gifts for the people who make things easier in your life? Open our station app to tell us who they are and what kind of gifts you considered buying for them.

Ethical Codes Of Conduct

The desire to give someone a gift does not always mean that a person can accept one over the holidays. The U.S. Postal employees are government workers and must observe a strict code of conduct known as Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch.

What Gift Items Can Postal Workers Accept?

Employees of the U.S. Postal Service may only accept a gift valued at up to $20 per occasion. They are not allowed to accept cash or a gift card with a cash value (like a Visa gift card). These employees are limited to only being able to accept a total of $50 worth of gifts during a calendar year.

All postal employees, including carriers, must comply with the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch. Under these federal regulations, carriers are permitted to accept a gift worth $20 or less from a customer per occasion, such as Christmas. However, cash and cash equivalents, such as checks or gift cards that can be exchanged for cash must never be accepted in any amount.

Gift Ideas For Colorado Postal Workers

While you can't give a postal worker a $25 Visa Gift Card, you can give them a $20 card to a local bakery or a business like Starbucks. Again, the amount of the card must not be more than $20. The code of conduct suggests items like food, snacks, or non-alcoholic beverages

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We're down to the last days of holiday shopping in Western Colorado so we asked you what have been your favorite stores to visit this year. Check out Grand Junction's recommendations on great places to shop locally below. There is still time to find the perfect gift for that special someone.

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