DENVER -- Tired of your mailbox filling with unwanted junk mail?

State lawmakers this week were expected to begin debating a bill that would create a 'no-junk-mail list' similar to the no-call list for telephone telemarketers.

Rep. Sara Gagliardi (D-Arvada) said her measure would allow fines against companies that send mail to people on the list. She and other supporters said the list could help cut down on identity theft and help the environment.

"The statistics are just overwhleming. Ninety-million pounds of junk mail a year. It costs somewhere between $2 and $4 million to clean it up," Gagliardi said.

But the United States Postal Service said it's got concerns about the economic effects of the bill and similar measures proposed in five other states.

Postal Service spokesman Al DeSarro said half of the mail his agency handles is direct marketing mail, and reducing its volume could cost thousands of Postal Service jobs.

"This is an infringement on commerce and an infringement on free speech," DeSarro said.

The Postal Service said most mail today is recyclable. But critics argue that most people have to shred their mail because of identity theft concerns.

Under the proposal, companies that send mail to people on the list could be fined up to $500 per offense.

The bill wouldn't include mail from political organizations, nonprofit businesses, charities and small businesses with 25 employees or less.

"What we'll do is set up a Web site that people can log on to opt out of the junk mail," Gagliardi said.

Several postal customers who said they get tons of junk mail everyday said they love the idea.

"I'd love it, absolutely. It will save a lot of paper and time," said one man who was getting mail out of his post office box.

"It sounds great. I get quite a lot. I moved and thought it wouldn't follow me and it did," said another postal service customer.

There is a way right now to opt out of some of those preapproved credit card requests. Check out Opt Out Prescreen

Or to submit your Opt-In or Opt-Out request by telephone, please call toll free: 1-888-567-8688.