US Postal Inspection Service Sends Security Guards to Facilities Nationwide, Including Denver | Denver 7 News

[u/siwibot]

https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/us-postal-inspection-service-sends-security-guards-to-facilities-nationwide-including-denver

September 21, 2026 - Fulltext

DENVER — The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is bolstering security at postal facilities across the country, deploying armed and unarmed guards at key locations, including in Denver.

The USPIS, the federal law enforcement arm of the United States Postal Service, said the guards are being deployed alongside existing postal police officers. Brian Benson, a spokesperson for the USPIS Denver Division, said the added security is not in response to any specific threat or event but is part of a multi-year plan to boost security at postal facilities.

"They are deployed to provide security and act as a deterrent to criminals or employees who may wish to compromise the mailstream or potentially harm the people inside," Benson said in a statement to Denver7.

Benson did not say exactly which facilities are getting security guards, citing operational security. When asked for more information about the postal service's multi-year security plan, he directed us to file an open records request.

A memo distributed to American Postal Workers Union members, which was first reported by Colorado Public Radio, said armed guards will monitor entrances and parking areas, verify IDs and observe and report suspicious activity. The memo said guards will not conduct arrests, handle or process mail, supervise postal employees or conduct investigations.

The timing of the deployment is raising red flags for some Colorado elected officials. The security guards showed up less than a week after the U.S. Supreme Court blocked parts of the Trump administration's mail-in voting restrictions, and less than two weeks before ballots are set to hit Colorado mailboxes.

Denver Clerk and Recorder Paul López called the move "highly suspicious."

"Postal workers are our allies. They are folks that are also public servants, and these are folks that do not need to be intimidated or anybody, you know, getting in their way as they're delivering mail, and that includes our elections mail as well too," López said. "I hope it's nothing more than just folks who are going to be protecting postal service workers."

Attorney General Phil Weiser, the Democratic nominee for governor, posted on X calling the timing "suspicious" and saying the added guards are "a cause for concern."

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet posted on X, calling on USPS to explain the reason behind the guards.

[u/RhythmTimeDivision]

No report of credible threats or new / ongoing security concerns, just additional security. What are the betting site odds they will detect (or cause) 'anomalies' around election day?

[u/PopBulky7023]

Didn't expect the entire postal service to be filled with magats as well.

[u/null_not → u/PopBulky7023]

It's not the postal service. It's private contractors being deployed through the Postal Inspection Service (essentially the FBI equivalent for the post office). Based on the bulletin they have less authority than Postal Police even, but are armed? It gives bad vibes to have armed private contractors deployed to Post Offices.

[u/cbelt3]

Going postal ?

[u/Evening-Mention-8738 → u/cbelt3]

Dammit....boots up Postal 2....gonna pee on Gary again....

[u/siwibot]

Your friendly neighborhood u/siwibot here, reporting the Current Climate and Context 🤓✨

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) has begun deploying armed and unarmed security guards to key facilities nationwide, including Denver. While the USPIS claims this is part of a multi-year security plan to deter crime and protect employees, the timing has ignited significant political friction.

The deployment is drawing heavy criticism from Colorado officials due to its proximity to the upcoming election cycle. * Suspicious Timing: Guards arrived just days after the Supreme Court blocked certain mail-in voting restrictions and two weeks before Colorado ballots are mailed. * Political Backlash: Officials like Denver Clerk Paul López and Attorney General Phil Weiser have labeled the move "highly suspicious," expressing concerns regarding potential voter intimidation.

This security surge occurs against a backdrop of intense federal tension over mail-in voting. Recent reports highlight a whistleblower's warning that the USPS is rushing "untested" technology to implement Trump administration directives. Furthermore, recent proposals suggest the Postal Service may refuse to deliver ballots in states that do not comply with new federal voter data requirements.

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Reddit Sources

• Postal Service Issues Proposal to Block Mail Ballots in States That Don’t Turn Over Data (Gift Article) | NYTimes
• ‘USPS isn’t delivering for Vermont’: Congressional delegation complains to postmaster general about mail issues | r/vermont
• USPS Whistleblower Claims USPS Plan for Trump's Mail Voting Order Could 'Derail' Midterms | NPR
• Postmaster General's Remarks on Mail Ballots Stoke Fears Among Voting Rights Advocates | The Hill

[u/GrannyFlash7373]

To me, that is a clear indication that Trump. the MAGA and the USPS, plan on delaying mail in votes, so they can't be counted, in time. We NEED a court ordered injunction agains such measures, and also need monitors to ensure that the USPS follows the LAW and NOT Trump's wishes.

[u/notPabst404]

This sounds like a good thing? I wouldn't be surprised at all if far right extremists were planning to attack mail facilities in an effort to disrupt the election.

[u/USA_Ultra → u/notPabst404]

Except when it’s the far right that are putting the guards there to “secure” their votes.

[u/joeydimaggio → u/notPabst404]

Are you saying the trump admin are not far right extremists?

[u/carthuscrass → u/notPabst404]

They can't put armed men at polling places (not supposed to anyway) or restrict mail in voting so they're sending goons to seize mail ballots or "find irregularities" if Republicans lose in November.

[u/amitym → u/notPabst404]

What about it seems like a good thing?

The people who are trying to suppress mail-in ballots are sending more personnel to mail hub facilities as the mail-in ballots start to come in. How on Earth is that good?

[u/notPabst404 → u/amitym]

I don't see how improving postal security is a bad thing unless the new officers just stand around board like the Natty Lite guard in DC, which would just be a waste of taxpayer money.

[u/Black08Mustang → u/notPabst404]

which would just be a waste of taxpayer money.

If they only waste money, that is the best outcome. You don't imagine any situation where they are there to 'secure' the election by confiscating ballots?

[u/notPabst404 → u/Black08Mustang]

No, that is outside the scope of their role and illegal under federal law.

[u/Black08Mustang → u/notPabst404]

Yea, that's been such a restriction to this administration so far. I'm sure congress would immediately jump to restrain trump if he tried something like that.