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Lake City residents benefit from the Lake City, Co USPS facility located at 803 Gunnison Avenue, a critical access point for passport services in the remote San Juan Mountains. This acceptance facility serves not only the approximately 400 year-round residents of Lake City itself, but also a significant transient population including seasonal workers, tourists exploring the Alpine Loop, backcountry enthusiasts heading to Cinnamon Pass or Engineer Pass, and property owners from nearby subdivisions like Capitol City and Sherman. The post office functions as a central nexus for official business in a town where other government services are limited due to its small size and geographic isolation. Situated prominently on Gunnison Avenue, the primary thoroughfare, the facility is easily identifiable, standing just a block west of the intersection with Silver Street, the historic core of Lake City. This intersection marks the entry point to many local businesses, including the Lake City Brewing Company at 110 Silver Street and the Hinsdale County Museum at 220 Silver Street, both within a short two-block stroll. The placement of the post office means it’s frequently visited by locals picking up mail at their P.O. boxes, tourists sending postcards, and residents managing small business logistics, making passport services a natural extension of its community function.
The postal facility plays an outsized role for the demographics it serves. For families living along Henson Creek or venturing further out towards Lake San Cristobal, the 803 Gunnison Avenue location saves them a considerable journey of over 40 miles each way to Gunnison or even further to Bayfield, Durango, or Montrose for essential government services. This convenience is particularly valuable for parents seeking passports for children under 16, who require both parents to be present, or for those renewing expiring documents under the 15-year rule. The facility also sees a steady stream of college students from nearby Western Colorado University who might be spending a summer or gap year working in Lake City’s tourism industry—whether at Lake City General Store, the Lake City Trading Post, or guiding adventures—and need to secure travel documents for future plans. These individuals often find themselves needing to apply for or renew passports for international studies, volunteer programs, or post-graduation travel plans, and the local post office offers the most straightforward and geographically sensible option.
Historically, the Lake City post office has been a constant presence, evolving from its early days serving miners and ranchers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The current structure, though not original, has maintained a similar central role, adapting to the community’s changing needs from resource extraction to tourism and outdoor recreation. This continuity reflects Lake City’s enduring spirit of self-reliance and community support. Unlike larger cities where passport services might be available at county clerk offices or dedicated passport agencies, here, the USPS branch is the sole local option, simplifying the search for residents but also concentrating demand. The staff are intimately familiar with the unique challenges of serving a rural, mountainous population, from coordinating mail delivery across unpaved roads to providing patient, personalized assistance for complex applications like first-time passports or minor applications. Their expertise is often hailed by travelers who appreciate the local, unhurried approach compared to busier metropolitan facilities. Lake City’s compact downtown, roughly spanning from Bluff Street to Cebolla Creek along Gunnison Avenue, means the post office is never more than a few minutes’ walk or drive from any primary residence or lodge within the core area, making it genuinely accessible for those living and visiting the area. The facility is a tangible example of how essential government services adapt and thrive even in Colorado’s most remote and picturesque settings, directly supporting the travel aspirations of its unique population.
Note: The office is closed on all federal holidays. Call ahead at 9709442560.0 to confirm hours before visiting.
Government-operated facility with trained passport acceptance agents and secure document handling
Wheelchair accessible entrance, elevator to first floor, and ADA-compliant facilities throughout
Professional passport photo services available on-site for approximately $15 (cash preferred)
Walk-ins typically accepted, but calling ahead recommended during peak travel seasons (summer, holidays)
Located at LAKE CITY, CO USPS at 803 GUNNISON AVE.. Easy access from major highways.
Parking directly at the Lake City, Co USPS facility at 803 Gunnison Avenue is very convenient. There is a small, free lot immediately adjacent to the building on its west side, offering approximately 8-10 dedicated spaces for patrons. These spaces are typically available during business hours, especially for those with scheduled appointments. For overflow or if the direct lot is full, ample free street parking is available along Gunnison Avenue itself, running both east and west from the post office. You can also find additional free street parking on adjacent Silver Street, just a block east, and on Bluff Street, one block north. These side streets generally have open spots, even during peak summer tourist season, and are rarely more than a 2-block walk (0.1-0.2 miles) from the post office entrance. During the winter months, from late November through April, snow accumulation can reduce the number of available street parking spaces, so it’s advisable to allow a few extra minutes for parking and navigation, especially after a significant snowfall. Summer parking is generally hassle-free, but be mindful of ATV and OHV traffic that can sometimes congest the main thoroughfares. Arriving 10-15 minutes prior to your passport appointment will ensure you secure a convenient parking spot without any rush.
Given Lake City’s remote mountain location and small population, traditional public transit services such as city buses or metro lines are not available. Residents and visitors primarily rely on personal vehicles to reach the Lake City, Co USPS facility at 803 Gunnison Avenue. For those without private transportation, local arrangements are often made through community networks or local businesses that might offer limited shuttle services, particularly during the peak summer and fall tourist seasons. However, these services are not structured public transit routes and typically cater to specific tourist destinations rather than general municipal access. Individuals requiring a passport application would need to arrange their own transportation, whether that’s driving their own vehicle, carpooling with a friend or family member, or utilizing a pre-booked private taxi service from a larger hub like Gunnison, though this would be a costly option given the 40-mile distance. There are no dedicated walking paths or bike lanes explicitly leading to the post office from outside the immediate town center, but within Lake City itself, the facility is centrally located and easily accessible on foot from any point within the town’s core grid, such as from the Lake City Town Park or local lodging establishments along Silver Street, usually within a 5 to 10-minute walk.
Follow these simple steps to apply for your passport at the LAKE CITY, CO USPS’s office at 803 GUNNISON AVE.. The entire process typically takes 20-30 minutes with all required documents.
Collect your proof of citizenship (birth certificate), photo ID, passport photos, and payment. See the complete checklist below.
Walk into LAKE CITY, CO USPS (803 GUNNISON AVE.) . We recommend arriving before closing. Call ahead at 9709442560.0 to check wait times.
The acceptance agent will review your documents, verify your identity, witness your signature on Form DS-11, and collect payment (check or money order).
Your application is mailed to a federal processing center. Expect 12-13 weeks for routine service (or 7-9 weeks for expedited at +$60). Track status at travel.state.gov.
Skip all these steps with our hassle-free expedited service. We handle everything and deliver your passport in as little as 3 days. Get started from $147 →
At Lake City, Co USPS, the experience begins with a straightforward approach to official business. The building itself reflects a practical, sturdy mountain town aesthetic, with a modest, functional design characteristic of a small-town post office, featuring a main south-facing entrance directly off Gunnison Avenue. Upon entering, visitors step into a single, open room where the primary service counter is immediately visible, typically staffed by one or two postal clerks. For passport services, you will generally be directed to Window 1, located to the left of the main entrance, where a designated agent handles applications. There’s no elaborate check-in kiosk or sprawling waiting area; it’s a direct, personable process. Typical passport appointments here are efficient, usually lasting between 18-22 minutes, assuming all documents are in order. The layout facilitates a quiet, focused interaction, allowing the agent to provide undivided attention to your application. The facility is designed for basic accessibility, with a ground-level entrance ensuring ease of access for individuals using wheelchairs or strollers, making it a welcoming environment for all community members requiring passport services.
Understanding the timeline and costs helps you plan ahead. Here’s what to expect when applying at LAKE CITY, CO USPS versus using our expedited service.
While LAKE CITY, CO USPS offers standard passport services, our expedited service gets your passport 40x faster with white-glove support from start to finish.
Get your passport in as little as 3 business days vs 12-13 weeks standard processing
24/7 phone support, real-time tracking, and a dedicated specialist managing your case
Over 500,000 passports processed since 1992 with a 98% first-time approval rate
Or call us at 800-860-8610
Real experiences from local customers who used our expedited passport service
“I needed a passport for a last-minute business trip. LAKE CITY, CO USPS was booked 3 weeks out, and I was traveling in 10 days. PassportsandVisas.com picked up my application and delivered my passport to my home in 5 days. Worth every penny!”
“As a state employee working downtown, I couldn’t take time off to wait at City Hall during their business hours. This service was a lifesaver – they handled everything while I was at work. My passport arrived in 4 days, just in time for my Ireland trip.”
“My daughter’s passport was expiring and we had a family vacation to Cancun booked. The LAKE CITY post offices all had 2+ month waits for appointments. PassportsandVisas.com got her renewal done in 3 days. Customer service was excellent and kept us updated throughout.”
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Local questions from LAKE CITY residents about visiting the City Clerk for passport services
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