Colorado Anti-Junk Mail Legislation Halted Consumers can still stop junk mail privately

BOULDER, COLO. – Mar. 19, 2007 – Legislative efforts to allow consumers to eliminate junk mail from their mailboxes have been halted in Colorado. But Coloradoans still have options, such as StopTheJunkMail.com, to remove themselves from mass mailing lists. Stopthejunkmail.com wants consumers everywhere to know that even though similar efforts throughout the country are being stifled, they can still opt-out of getting direct mail using the company’s private service.

The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Sara Gagliardi, a freshman Democrat from Arvada, faced opposition from businesses, unions and postal workers whose livelihoods depend on the multibillion-dollar direct mail industry. Gagliardi said she introduced the bill to address environmental concerns and the threat of identity theft that accompanies direct mail. The proposal would have allowed Coloradoans to sign up on a “do not mail” list, similar to the “no call” list that stops telephone solicitations.

Having the option to stop receiving unsolicited mail, while easing the conscience of the “green-minded” population, would have resulted in Postal Service layoffs. Approximately half of the 12.5 million pieces of mail delivered in the state are classified as direct mail, and account for one-third of their operating budget.

Similar legislation is pending in Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New York, Texas, Washington and Vermont. While Coloradoans no longer have a state-sponsored option for reducing unsolicited mail, they can still say no to junk in the mailbox by using stopthejunkmail.com’s service, as can any consumer – nationwide – who is tired of sifting through piles of unwanted mail.

StopTheJunkMail.com, a Boulder, Colo. based company, was founded in 2001 as a convenient, cost-effective way for subscribers to opt out of receiving unsolicited mail.
For a nominal fee, stopthejunkmail.com will remove subscriber information from select mailing lists and through a partnership with American Forests Organization will plant a tree in an effort to repopulate forests being depleted by junk mail production.

For more information about stopthejunkmail.com, and how it’s filling the void left by the recently terminated legislation, please contact Margot Brown at 866.769.5885 or media@stopthejunkmail.com.