Push to Waive Ketchum P.O. Box Fees Gains Momentum Amid Resident Frustrations
KETCHUM, Idaho—As the holiday season ramps up, the Ketchum Post Office is already experiencing its usual surge in activity. Long lines snake through the building on Fourth Street, a location built 25 years ago to serve a growing community. Despite the dedicated efforts of postal staff, customers remain frustrated with service delays and rising costs. The post office houses approximately 6,000 P.O. boxes, necessary for Ketchum residents who lack home mail delivery.
Rising Costs, Growing Frustrations

For years, residents have voiced their concerns about escalating P.O. box fees, which have surged dramatically in the last decade. In 2011, the smallest P.O. box cost $15 annually. By 2024, that fee has skyrocketed to $75. Larger box sizes have seen similar increases, with costs reaching up to $151 annually. These rising fees come with little improvement in service, leaving residents questioning the justification for the hikes.
Ketchum residents are particularly vocal about their reliance on the post office. Unlike most towns, mail delivery to homes is unavailable, forcing residents to depend on P.O. boxes for all correspondence. This has led to growing resentment, as many feel they are paying for a service that should be provided at no cost.
City and Congressional Push for Fee Exemptions
The city of Ketchum, alongside U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson and Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho, has advocated for an exemption to these fees. Efforts date back to October 2022, when city officials formally requested assistance in securing a fee waiver from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Their argument hinges on the USPS’s guidelines, which outline “Group E exemptions” for communities without home delivery. However, Ketchum has yet to qualify for this exemption.
David Rupert, USPS communications director for the western U.S., stated that Ketchum’s situation is not unique, noting that many mountain towns operate under similar conditions. He pointed to a 1998 town hall decision against home delivery as the reason Ketchum doesn’t qualify for fee waivers. However, local officials and records show no evidence of such a decision, calling into question the USPS’s rationale.
Renewed Advocacy and Hope for Resolution
Ketchum Mayor Neil Bradshaw remains optimistic about resolving the issue. “I remain hopeful that, working with the post office, we’ll get free P.O. box delivery,” he told the Express earlier this fall. Bradshaw and other officials have been actively engaging with USPS representatives, seeking clarity on the exemption policy and pushing for reconsideration.
Sen. Crapo’s office has also been in communication with the USPS. Press Secretary Marissa Morrison stated that the senator hopes to deliver updates by the end of the year. Meanwhile, city officials continue to press the matter, highlighting the economic burden on residents.
Challenges Facing the Post Office
The Ketchum Post Office is not only grappling with fee-related frustrations but also operational issues. Complaints from residents include long wait times, lost packages, and delays in receiving critical items such as prescription medications. One customer described regular lines of 15-20 people and noted that even basic maintenance, such as fixing a broken door, took months to complete.
USPS spokesperson Sherry Patterson acknowledged the concerns, stating that new staff hires are expected to alleviate some of the pressure. One new employee is set to start on Dec. 14, a move Patterson believes will help streamline operations. Additionally, customers are encouraged to use online tools, such as purchasing postage and printing labels at home, to reduce in-office wait times.
A Mountain Town Issue
Mayor Bradshaw emphasized that Ketchum’s struggles with mail delivery are part of a larger issue affecting mountain towns across the U.S. The rise of online shopping and the increasing reliance on private carriers have placed immense pressure on post offices in these regions. Many facilities, including Ketchum’s, were not designed to handle the current volume of mail and packages.
“This is not just a Ketchum thing. It’s a mountain town thing, a whole U.S. thing,” Bradshaw explained. Despite these broader challenges, he remains committed to addressing the unique needs of Ketchum residents.
Looking Ahead
As discussions continue, residents are growing impatient for tangible results. Many expressed frustration with the lack of updates and the ongoing financial strain. “I would ask the City Council to follow up on their promise to remove the fees,” said one resident. “It’s barbaric how the fees keep going up while service continues to decline.”
Councilman Spencer Cordovano acknowledged the city’s limited power over the USPS, a federal agency. However, he reaffirmed the council’s commitment to advocating for residents. Meanwhile, local officials and congressional representatives remain in dialogue with USPS leadership, hopeful that relief may finally be on the horizon.
For Ketchum, the fight for a fee exemption represents more than just a financial issue—it’s about fairness and access to essential services. As the holiday rush intensifies, the city’s residents and leaders are determined to keep pushing for change.