STATUS: ALL required USPS work is COMPLETE; Contributions Requested

Community Mail Modernization

& Rural Route Unification

Central Point Delivery Infrastructure Upgrade & Expansion at CR37E and Lonestar Road

Serving Blue Mountain RA, Lonestar RA, Sunship, PID61, CR37E North.

Version |

Project Cost Collected Serviceable Properties169 Participation Delivery Points112 installed / 105 active Expansion CapacityUp to 160

of 169 properties () have already contributed

Contribute Now Help fairly reimburse completed community mailbox project costs

Still Unreimbursed Remaining Cash Advanced Coordinated by Adam Thodey | In partnership with USPS

Project at a Glance

Completed community mail infrastructure upgrade. This project modernized the shared USPS delivery site at CR37E and Lonestar Road, expanded delivery and parcel capacity, and created infrastructure for future USPS-approved expansion without another round of community-funded concrete construction.

The completed installation now supports 112 installed delivery points, with 105 currently active, plus 34 parcel lockers. USPS supplied and installed the new delivery equipment, while the community-funded work provided the concrete pads, site preparation, landscaping, and support infrastructure needed for approved centralized delivery at this location.

Project status & completed workSee the completion story, what was installed, key follow-up items, and how the project now operates in service. Benefits to the service areaSee direct benefits such as more parcel capacity, reduced future construction exposure, site improvements, and improved long-term service flexibility. Why contributions are still requestedSee the cost-recovery summary for the community-funded work that USPS required but did not pay for. Project background & rolesSee the site history, the role USPS played, and the specific infrastructure the community funded.

If your property benefits from this completed installation but has not yet contributed, please review the Contribution Request section for the remaining unreimbursed project cost and ways to contribute.

Total Project CostCash plus documented in-kind support required to complete the project.

Community ContributionsAs of .

Still UnreimbursedRemaining amount not yet recovered from eligible project costs.

169Serviceable PropertiesProperties in the broader area that may benefit from this shared site.

Remaining Reimbursable In-KindPersonal project materials still awaiting reimbursement as of .

112 / 34Installed CapacityCurrent installed capacity: 112 delivery points and 34 total parcel lockers.

105Active DeliveriesAddresses currently active within the installed 112-position configuration.

Up to 160Expansion-Ready CapacityFuture USPS-approved address capacity supported by the completed pads and layout.

Remaining Cash AdvancedProject cash cost not yet recovered by contributions received so far.

Remaining Reimbursable In-KindEligible personal materials still awaiting reimbursement as of .

Project Status: Completed and In Service

Project status: The community mail infrastructure upgrade was completed in December 2025 in coordination with the Lyons Post Office. The site is now fully in service with new Cluster Box Units (CBUs) and Parcel Locker Units (PLUs) installed and activated by USPS, along with the community message center and relocated newspaper delivery tubes.

Why this page still requests contributions: Under USPS centralized delivery policies, the receiving address or community normally provides the mailbox installation and supporting site infrastructure. The Lyons Post Office made a significant investment in our community by providing and installing the mailbox equipment, while our community provided the supporting infrastructure needed for approved centralized delivery at this location.

To keep the project moving and avoid disruption to mail service, these costs were advanced by a community resident so the work could proceed without delay.

Result: Because the community was able to organize and complete the site preparation quickly, the installation ultimately included additional parcel locker units beyond the original plan. This brought expanded secure package delivery capacity online earlier than anticipated, allowing USPS to securely deliver more packages directly at the mailbox location.

Completed work

New south and north concrete pads for current use and future USPS-approved expansion
USPS installation of two (2) additional Cluster Box Units (CBUs) and five (5) Parcel Locker Units (PLUs)
Relocation of the newspaper delivery area
Landscaping and drainage improvements using EasyPave, gravel, and site markers
Installation of the community message board
Removal of aging curbside mailboxes and related site cleanup

Remaining task: finalize long-term community use of the message board with PID61, LSRA, BMRA, and LFPD, and support any future USPS-approved expansion as community need grows. See the Project Timeline for milestone dates.

Benefits to the Service Area

The completed installation improves reliability, security, package delivery capacity, and long-term readiness for the broader service area.

Bottom line: The completed installation provides reliable, USPS-approved central point delivery service at the CR37E and Lonestar Road site, expanded parcel locker capacity, and infrastructure already in place to support future expansion as needed. Because the community organized and completed the required site preparation quickly, the installation ultimately included additional parcel locker units beyond the original plan, bringing expanded secure package delivery capacity online earlier than anticipated.

Estimated time and travel savings: Avoiding trips to the Lyons Post Office for package pickup can save both travel time and vehicle cost. The Post Office is approximately 5.3 miles from the cluster site (10.6 miles round trip), and the expanded parcel locker capacity greatly reduces the need for these trips.

≈ $7 Vehicle cost per round trip

Based on a 10.6-mile round trip from the cluster site using the IRS standard mileage rate.

≈ 20 min + wait Time per round trip

Estimated drive time to the Lyons Post Office and back, plus any wait time at the counter to retrieve packages.

≈ $85 + 6 hrs/year Saved by avoiding 1 trip each month

Even modest reductions in Post Office pickup trips add up over the course of a year.

Reliable USPS-approved delivery service

The site now provides 112 installed delivery points, with 105 currently active, supporting central point delivery for the broader service area at a permanent, USPS-approved location.

Expanded package delivery capacity

The site now includes 34 total parcel lockers — 5 dedicated Parcel Locker Units (PLUs), each containing 4 parcel lockers (20 total) and 14 integrated within the CBUs. This expanded capacity helps USPS securely deliver more packages directly at the mailbox location and reduces trips to the Lyons Post Office for package pickup.

Infrastructure ready for future growth

Concrete pads and site layout are already in place to support future USPS-approved expansion up to approximately 160 addresses. Because the supporting infrastructure has already been constructed, future expansion can occur without another round of community-funded slab construction.

Improved site conditions and usability

The completed project improved drainage, reduced mud, clarified the active and future expansion areas, improved winter access, and added a central community message board to support communication and site organization.

Improved security and convenience

Locked Cluster Box Units (CBUs) and expanded parcel locker capacity help protect mail and packages from weather exposure and unauthorized access while making package pickup more convenient for residents.

USPS investment leveraged by community action

More than $15,000 in USPS-provided CBUs, PLUs, and installation labor was made possible by the completed site improvements. By organizing and completing the required site infrastructure, the community helped secure this significant USPS investment for the area.

Completed under budget

Total actual project cost was compared to the original $7,500.00 budget, demonstrating efficient use of community funds and donated support.

Long-term value for the community

The installation supports reliable service for current users, provides room for future growth, and strengthens local communication through the message center. Contribution levels of $50, $75, or $100 represent a modest investment relative to the infrastructure now in place and the remaining unrecovered project cost of as of .

Regulatory compliance and service continuity

The installation supports USPS-approved central point delivery in accordance with POM Section 631 – Modes of Delivery and DMM 508 – Recipient Services.

Project Budget & Costs

Summary figures shown elsewhere on this page are derived from the final project budget workbook. Additional detail is available below.

Project Summary	Budgeted	Cash Spent	In-Kind	Total Value
Total Project	$7,500.00

Show category breakdown

Concrete Slabs — Budgeted: $5,000.00 | Cash: $3,000.00 | In-Kind: $300.00 | Total: $3,300.00

Description	Funding Type	Quantity	Unit Cost	Cash Spent	In-Kind Value
25ft × 3ft × 0.5ft and 8ft × 3ft × 0.5ft concrete pads	Project Fund	1	$3,000.00	$3,000.00	-
Site preparation: post removal, excavation, and grading	In-Kind	6 hrs	$50.00	-	$300.00

Message Center — Budgeted: $1,500.00 | Cash: $696.10 | In-Kind: $24.61 | Total: $720.71

Description	Funding Type	Quantity	Unit Cost	Cash Spent	In-Kind Value
Enclosed double-door corkboard message board	Project Fund	1	$585.89	$585.89	-
4x4x10ft posts	Project Fund	2	$24.12	$48.23	-
80lb concrete bag	Project Fund	1	$6.50	$6.50	-
60lb concrete bags	In-Kind	3	$4.87	-	$14.61
2x4 support lumber	In-Kind	1	$10.00	-	$10.00
Key lock boxes	Project Fund	1	$55.48	$55.48	-

Landscaping — Budgeted: $1,000.00 | Cash: $1,107.06 | In-Kind: $811.00 | Total: $1,918.06

Description	Funding Type	Quantity	Unit Cost	Cash Spent	In-Kind Value
EasyPave drainage grid	Project Fund	7	$107.99	$873.50	-
EasySpots markers	Project Fund	5	$38.00	$190.00	-
Tax and delivery	Project Fund	1	$43.56	$43.56	-
Pea gravel	In-Kind	2.5 tons	$44.00	-	$110.00
Quikrete all-purpose gravel	In-Kind	60	$8.67	-	$520.20
Weed barrier	In-Kind	1	$1.00	-	$1.00
Redwood bark	In-Kind	20	$8.99	-	$179.80

Contribution Request

This project was completed through a partnership between USPS and the community. The United States Postal Service provided the Cluster Box Units (CBUs) and Parcel Locker Units (PLUs) at no cost to the community, representing a USPS equipment contribution valued at more than $15,000.

USPS-owned mailbox equipment is not what the community is being asked to fund. Under USPS centralized delivery policy, the party receiving delivery service is responsible for the approved delivery location and required supporting infrastructure. See Handbook PO-632, Section 632 – Centralized Delivery Requirements and the USPS Regulations & Guidance section below. In this project, USPS covered the mailbox equipment and installation, while the community-funded share covered the concrete pads, site preparation, landscaping, installation support, and message center.

To keep the project moving and avoid delay to mail and package service improvements, the project coordinator advanced personal funds and contributed reimbursable personal materials for the unrecovered community share of the work. This was always intended to be a community-funded infrastructure project, and contribution is expected for equitable cost recovery.

Requested contribution by property type

Converted from curbside to CBU delivery
$100 per property
Reflects the direct benefit of conversion to centralized delivery together with the shared community-funded infrastructure required to make that transition possible.

Existing community CBU users
$75 per property
The benchmark discussed before final close-out was $90; after final costs were documented and additional contributions were received, that benchmark was reduced to $75 per property.

Properties without current delivery at this site
$50 per property
Reflects the shared infrastructure investment that supports future USPS-approved expansion and long-term service stability for the broader area.

Cost Recovery Summary	Amount	How it is treated
Total Actual Project Cost		Total cash and documented in-kind support required to complete the project.
Cash Advanced by Project Coordinator		Eligible for reimbursement through community contributions.
Reimbursable Personal Materials (Adam)		Eligible for reimbursement after cash advances are recovered.
Community-Donated Site Prep Credit		Site preparation labor contributed by a property owner in place of a cash contribution; credited to the project and fully recognized as a community contribution.
Other Donated In-Kind Support		Fully credited to the project as donated support.
Cash Contributions Received (as of )		Applied first to cash advanced, then to personal materials.
Total Remaining Amount To Reimburse Project Coordinator		Current unrecovered amount.

Application of contributions: Community-donated site preparation and other donated in-kind support reduced the amount that otherwise would have required additional cash funding. Contributions are applied first to cash advanced by the project coordinator and then to reimbursable personal materials. If contributions eventually exceed the amount required to recover eligible project costs, any excess funds will be returned upon request or, if agreed, retained for future mail-site maintenance or USPS-approved improvements.

How to Contribute

Thank you for helping close the remaining funding gap and for supporting long-term, reliable mail and package delivery for our community. To make contributing as easy as possible for our neighbors throughout the community, the available options are listed below. Please include “Mailbox project” in the memo or note field so your contribution can be properly recorded.

Venmo Zelle Check / Cash

Suggested contribution levels by property type: $100 converted from curbside to CBU delivery, $75 existing community CBU users, and $50 properties without current delivery at this site.

Venmo

@Adam-Thodey (2806)

Scan to open Venmo

Fastest digital option for most contributors.
Memo: Mailbox project

Zelle

adam@adamsplanet.com

Scan to use Zelle

Send via Zelle to Adam Thodey.
Memo: Mailbox project

Check or Cash

Coordinate directly with Adam Thodey

Check: payable to Adam Thodey and may be mailed to 716 Sunrise Dr, Lyons, CO 80540, or arranged for dropoff or pickup.
Cash: Contact Adam to arrange pickup or dropoff.

Contact Adam to arrange check or cash

Delivery & Site Use Information

USPS Delivery Information

Key pickup: Keys are distributed by the Lyons Post Office. Bring proof of residency and a current valid photo ID.
Location: Lyons Post Office, 305 Railroad Ave, Lyons, CO 80540.
Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Saturday 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
Parcel locker delivery: When a Parcel Locker Unit (PLU) is used, a key is placed in your assigned CBU mailbox. The parcel locker key remains captured in the locker until removed by the carrier.
Parcel locker use: Parcel lockers are intended for short-term use and serve all CBU users at the site. Packages should be retrieved promptly after delivery.
Unclaimed parcels: If a parcel locker is not cleared within the expected pickup window or during periods of high package volume, USPS may remove the uncollected parcel and return it to the Lyons Post Office for pickup.
If lockers are full: You will receive a notice and the item will be available for pickup at the Lyons Post Office.
Large parcels: Oversized items may require Post Office pickup depending on size, carrier requirements, and available locker capacity.
Lost keys: USPS does not retain a copy of your mailbox key. If all keys are lost, the lock must be replaced and USPS charges a lock replacement fee (historically approximately $40, subject to change).
Questions: Delivery questions, key issues, and service requests should be directed to the Lyons Post Office during normal business hours.

Site Use Information

All CBU Mailbox Users

USPS and the project coordinator strongly recommend enrolling in USPS Informed Delivery to receive notifications and make timely pickup easier.
The upgraded site provides significantly more parcel locker capacity. Because parcel lockers are a shared resource, residents are asked to retrieve packages as soon as possible after delivery so lockers remain available for others.
If you have questions about your assigned box number, keys, or delivery status, please contact the Lyons Post Office during normal business hours.

PO Box Users

You may continue to use your PO Box as you do today. No immediate change is required.
If you would like to be considered for future community CBU delivery at the shared site, please contact the Lyons Post Office so your interest can be noted for future USPS-approved expansion.

Properties Without Current USPS Delivery

Properties that do not currently receive delivery at this site may be eligible for future central point delivery as additional CBUs are added, subject to USPS approval, available capacity, and USPS procedures.
If you are interested in establishing delivery service for a property that does not currently receive USPS delivery at this site, please contact the Lyons Post Office directly. USPS determines eligibility, activation, and box assignment.

Project Background & Roles

This Community Mail Modernization & Rural Route Unification Project was completed in partnership with the Lyons Post Office to modernize and expand central point delivery at the CR37E and Lonestar Road mail cluster site.

The broader service area includes 169 properties/households. The completed installation provides 112 installed delivery points, with 105 currently active delivery points and expansion-ready infrastructure capable of supporting up to about 160 addresses, subject to USPS approval.

The United States Postal Service determines the mode and location of delivery for each address. For properties within the defined service area north of CR37E and Lonestar Road, central point delivery at this cluster site is the approved mode of delivery. Individual mail service must still be established or changed directly through the Lyons Post Office in accordance with USPS procedures.

Four CBUs were originally installed in 1998 by the United States Postal Service, and the original concrete slab was constructed at that time by community members. A fifth CBU was added in 2021 through local initiative.

Following the 2013 Colorado flood and related regional delivery adjustments, capacity constraints and limited parcel locker availability created operational challenges across the broader service area. This project expanded delivery capacity, increased parcel locker availability, improved site layout and safety, and established long-term infrastructure capable of supporting future growth.

USPS Contribution

The United States Postal Service contributed all new locked mailbox equipment at no cost to the community, valued at more than $15,000, including:

Additional Cluster Box Units (CBUs)
New Parcel Locker Units (PLUs)
Installation labor for USPS-provided equipment

Community Contribution

Under USPS regulations, the party receiving centralized delivery service is responsible for providing and installing the required site infrastructure for Cluster Box Units (CBUs) and Parcel Locker Units (PLUs). See POM 632 – Centralized Delivery Requirements for the governing USPS policy.

Consistent with those requirements, and to ensure continued mail service for the entire service area, the community funded and installed:

All concrete pad construction
Site layout and grading
Landscaping improvements and drainage control
Message board installation
Project management and coordination

These infrastructure costs are not covered by USPS equipment contributions and are necessary to maintain approved central point delivery for the service area.

Photos & Renderings

The images below show the current installed upgrade and the longer-term expansion-ready concept for the CR37E / Lonestar delivery center. The first view shows what has been completed; the expansion-ready concept shows how the same pads can support later USPS growth without additional site construction.

Current installed configuration: Serves up to 112 addresses with 34 parcel lockers (CBUs + PLUs).
Expansion-ready capacity: The completed pads allow USPS to later serve up to 160 total addresses with 52 parcel lockers as the community grows, without additional site construction.

Before and after rendering showing existing mailboxes, the upgraded CBU and PLU layout on the completed concrete pads, and the expansion-ready concept — **Before, concept, complete, and future expansion:** BEFORE: existing CBUs, curbside mailboxes, and newspaper tubes. Concept: the planned layout before work began. Complete: the installed project with the new concrete pads, CBUs, and PLUs supporting up to 112 addresses and 34 parcel lockers. Future expansion concept: shows how additional CBUs and PLUs could later be added to support up to 160 addresses and up to 52 parcel lockers, configuration dependent. Click to view full size *(opens in a new tab)*.

The old Denver Post Metal purchase box and Land & Homes Magazine box were removed by their respective business owners. Newspaper tubes for active subscriptions were relocated to the north side of the north concrete slab and just south of the community message board.

EasyPave with pea gravel was installed across the whole site for landscaping and drainage. Blue EasyDots were installed in the EasyPave in front of the USPS CBUs and PLUs and red EasyDots along the remainder of the concrete slabs. Yellow EasyDots were installed in the Easy Pave that is on top of dirt in front of the newspaper tubes and the community message board.

Project completion photos

CBU site view looking north (photo 1) — View looking north showing the installed CBUs, parcel locker units, and completed site work.

CBU site view looking north (photo 2) — Alternate view looking north showing the full current installed configuration.

CBU site view looking south with message board and newspaper tubes — View looking south showing the community message board and newspaper tube area relative to the mail site.

Project Timeline

Step	Task	Date(s)	Description	Status
1	Resident Notification	01 Sep – 21 Nov	Collect contact details → Coordinate with USPS → Select & schedule contractor → Finalize cost-sharing → Notify residents.	✔️ Complete
2A	Curbside Mailbox Removal	20 – 23 Nov	Property owners/residents remove curbside mailboxes in preparation for slab work.	✔️ Complete
2B	Final Curbside Mailbox Removal	Mon 24 Nov	Adam and neighbors remove remaining mailboxes. Residents should remove their own to avoid delays.	✔️ Complete
3	Work Order	Mon 24 Nov	USPS submits work order for new CBU/PLU installation.	✔️ Complete
4	Site Preparation	Tue 25 Nov	XBAR7 Communications preps the site for contractor work.	✔️ Complete
5	Concrete Slab Construction	Starting Tue 02 Dec	Pour and finish 25′ × 3′ pad (south) and 8′ × 3′ pad (north, relocatable message board).	✔️ Complete
6	Concrete Curing	03 – 09 Dec	Concrete slabs curing period.	✔️ Complete
7	USPS Installation of CBUs/PLUs	Starting Tue 09 Dec	USPS installs CBUs/PLUs and assigns box numbers.	✔️ Complete (USPS schedule)
8	Box Assignments & Key Pickup	After installation, per step &	Mail resumes normally once CBU keys are picked up.	✔️ Complete
9	Outdoor Message Center Installed	12 – 31 Dec	Install community message center on north slab.	✔️ Complete
10	Project Complete	10 Dec – 27 Dec	USPS delivery area fully upgraded and future-proofed. Contributions close-out and final cost summary shared.	✔️ Complete

USPS Regulations

The design and location of CBUs and parcel lockers, and the move away from individual curbside boxes at this shared site, are guided by USPS regulations and guidance for centralized mail delivery. The resources below are the primary references used in planning this project together with the Lyons Post Office.

Last updated: March 14, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this project for? Does it only affect curbside mailbox users?
No. This project upgrades the entire shared delivery site at CR37E and Lonestar Road. It increases parcel locker capacity, prepares space for more CBUs, and brings the site up to current USPS standards. That benefits all USPS users who receive mail at this location, including existing CBU users, curbside users transitioning to CBUs, PO Box users who may want local delivery in the future, and properties that do not yet have USPS delivery but are in the service area.
I already have a CBU. How does this help me?
Prior to this project, about 109 boxes (CBU and curbside mailbox users) shared only 10 parcel lockers, which was not enough for current package volume or larger items. The completed installation now supports 112 addresses with 34 parcel lockers, including 105 active CBU deliveries currently reflected in the project database, and the finished pads can support future USPS-approved expansion to about 160 addresses and 52 parcel lockers (parcel locker size and configuration dependent). That means fewer packages held in town, more deliveries directly to the cluster site, and better long-term capacity for everyone who uses a CBU mailbox.
I live in a small subdivision (like Sunship) and my mail service is already working. Am I required to contribute?
This project supports the entire community, not only the properties that directly converted during construction. Community contributions are being requested because USPS required the community to fund the concrete pads and site work needed for the upgraded CBUs and parcel lockers, and those costs were advanced personally by the project coordinator so the work could be completed on time. The more neighbors who contribute, the more fairly those shared costs are recovered.
I use a PO Box in Lyons. Does this change anything for me?
Your PO Box service remains the same unless you choose otherwise. The upgraded site creates capacity so that PO Box users who want community CBU delivery in the future can be accommodated using the new pads and any additional CBUs that USPS installs over time.
My property does not currently receive USPS delivery. Does this project matter for me?
Yes, potentially. The completed pads were designed so that additional CBUs can be added in the future. As needs grow, properties that do not currently have USPS delivery may request CBU service at this shared site, subject to USPS approval and available capacity. As of project completion, the database reflects 105 active CBU deliveries, leaving 7 currently available boxes within the installed 112-position configuration.
What happened to mail service for properties that previously used curbside boxes at the site?
During construction, mail for former curbside boxes was held at the Lyons Post Office for pickup. Once the new CBUs were installed, keys issued, and assignments activated, delivery resumed through the new locked CBU mailboxes.
Will UPS, FedEx, and other carriers change how they deliver?
No changes are being made to UPS, FedEx, Amazon, or other private carrier policies. This project only affects USPS delivery and infrastructure at the shared cluster site.
When do I get my key, and what happens if I lose it?
USPS distributes keys after box assignments are completed. If a key is lost later, contact the Lyons Post Office. A lock replacement fee may apply; historically it has been approximately $40, subject to change.
What happens when a package is too large for my mailbox?
Oversized items may be placed in a parcel locker, with a key left in your mailbox for pickup. If all parcel lockers are in use, or if the item is too large for the lockers at the site, USPS will leave a notice and the package will be available for pickup at the Lyons Post Office. Because parcel lockers are a shared resource, packages should be retrieved promptly. If a locker is not cleared within the expected pickup window or during periods of high package volume, USPS may remove the parcel and return it to the Lyons Post Office for pickup.
Who is coordinating this project?
The project is coordinated directly with the Lyons Post Office by community member and your neighbor Adam Thodey, with communication to Blue Mountain Road Association, Lonestar Road Association, Sunship, PID61, and property owners along CR37E. It is not a formal PID or RA assessment; it is a community-led effort to meet USPS requirements and improve service for the area, with contribution expected for equitable cost recovery. See Project Contact below.

Project Contact

Project Coordinator
Adam Thodey — 716 Sunrise Dr
📞 303-444-2326 (voice and SMS/Text)
✉️ adamt@thodeylodge.com
📱 Mobile / contributions: 303-249-2806

Lyons Post Office Contact
Kim Chase — Postmaster, Lyons CO
📞 303-823-9803
✉️ e-mail upon direct request from Kim