Quick Info
Since: 1947. Cost: Free service. Deadline: Early February (exact date varies). Result: Your valentines get a special Loveland cachet and romantic verse. Volume: 100,000+ cards remailed annually.
Every February, the Loveland Post Office transforms into America's valentine headquarters. Tens of thousands of cards arrive from all over the world, ready to be hand-stamped with a special cachet and romantic verse before being re-mailed to their final destinations. It's a charming tradition that earned Loveland its "Sweetheart City" nickname.
The program started in 1947 when local postmaster Ted Thompson and a group of businessmen created a special valentine stamp. The idea caught on. Decades later, volunteers still gather each February to stamp and process the flood of cards. It remains free—just pay regular postage.
How It Works
Step 1: Write and address your valentines as normal. Apply proper first-class postage for domestic mail or appropriate international postage for overseas recipients.
Step 2: Place your stamped, addressed valentines inside a larger envelope. This outer envelope should be addressed to: Postmaster, Attn: Valentines, Loveland, CO 80537.
Step 3: Mail your outer envelope so it arrives in Loveland by the announced deadline—usually around February 7, but check official sources for the current year's date.
Step 4: Volunteers in Loveland open your outer envelope, hand-stamp each valentine with the special cachet and verse, then re-mail them to their final destinations. Recipients get a valentine postmarked from Loveland with a romantic touch.
The Cachet & Verse
A new design is created each year through a community contest. Local artists submit concepts; a winning design is selected. The cachet appears as a rubber stamp on each valentine.
The verse is a short romantic poem, also selected annually through contest. It's printed on a small stamp applied to each card alongside the cachet.
Collectors value these cachets. Some people send valentines through Loveland every year just to collect the designs. The program has created a minor philatelic tradition.
History of the Program
1947: Ted Thompson, Loveland's postmaster, and local businessmen created the first valentine cachet to promote the town. Initial response was modest but enthusiastic.
Growth decades: Word spread through news coverage and word of mouth. Volume grew from hundreds to thousands to tens of thousands of cards annually.
Today: Over 100,000 valentines pass through Loveland each February. Volunteers organize stamping parties. The program has become integral to Loveland's identity.
Sweetheart City: The valentine program inspired the nickname that now appears on signage throughout town. Loveland has embraced the romantic brand fully.
Sweetheart Festival
Valentine's Day weekend brings the Loveland Sweetheart Festival. Live music, vendors, and community events celebrate the romantic theme. The festival has grown alongside the re-mailing program.
Group weddings are performed at the festival—couples can marry in a mass ceremony. It's become a Loveland tradition for budget-conscious romantics.
The Valentine Trail downtown features heart sculptures and romantic photo opportunities. The public art focus extends to the holiday season with themed installations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the re-mailing program really free?
Yes. The only cost is regular postage on your valentines. Loveland provides the stamping service free as a community tradition.
What's the deadline?
Usually around February 7, but check the official Loveland Valentine Program website for current year dates. Earlier is better—the volume is huge and late arrivals may miss processing.
Can I send valentines internationally?
Yes. Apply appropriate international postage to each valentine. They'll be stamped in Loveland and forwarded to international destinations.
Can I visit during stamping?
The stamping events use volunteers, but visitors can sometimes observe. Contact the Loveland Chamber of Commerce for current year visitor information.