DENVER (AP) – Colorado Sen. Mark Udall is backing an effort to prevent closing rural post offices for at least two years.

Udall joined other senators on Wednesday in backing the amendment to a bill that would stabilize the U.S. Postal Service.

The Postal Service says it needs to begin closing thousands of low-revenue post offices and mail processing centers this year as part of efforts to become profitable.

The Senate bill would, in part, slow if not stop many closings by forcing the agency to first consider the special needs of rural communities.

Seventy-one post offices in Colorado and 43 in Wyoming face possible closures.

Sens. Michael Bennet of Colorado and Roy Blunt of Missouri have proposed appointing an advocate for rural communities facing closures so that communities’ interests are heard.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)