State Unclaimed Property in Colorado

The Colorado State Treasury holds unclaimed property — dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance payouts, utility refunds, and similar assets — through the Great Colorado Payback program. The Treasury holds these funds in perpetuity until a valid claim is made, and property is held in trust until the rightful owners or their heirs claim it.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Unclaimed Property

Colorado

treasury.colorado.gov/programs/unclaimed-property→

Administering agency

Colorado Department of the Treasury — Great Colorado Payback (Unclaimed Property)

Phone303-866-6070

WebsiteVisit website →

Authority

Colo. Rev. Stat. 38-13-101 to 38-13-134 (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act)

Verified Jul 2026

State Unclaimed Property in Colorado: key facts

Administering office: Colorado Department of the Treasury, Great Colorado Payback program.
Official search: unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov (free search and online claims). The Treasury's own FAQ points to missingmoney.com to search nationwide.
Heir claim: After a search match, the Unclaimed Property Office sends a claim form. Along with the form, the claimant submits proof of ownership or heirship; the claim form lists the documentation required for that claim. Documents can be uploaded at unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov/app/claim-doc-upload.
Time limit: None. The Treasury acts only as custodian and holds unclaimed property in perpetuity until a valid claim is made — there is no time limit and no charge for claiming it.
Small estate option: Heirs may use Colorado's Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit (form JDF 999, C.R.S. § 15-12-1201) instead of Letters Testamentary when the total fair market value of all property owned by the decedent and subject to disposition by will or intestate succession, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed the threshold for the year of death — $88,000 for Y.O.D. 2026 (adjusted annually). At least 10 days must have elapsed since death, and no application or petition to appoint a personal representative may be pending or granted. The affidavit cannot transfer real estate. Holders, including financial institutions, are discharged when they transfer property on presentation of the affidavit (C.R.S. § 15-12-1202(1)).
Claim processing time: The Colorado State Treasury reports that most claims are processed in a matter of days.

Governing law: Colo. Rev. Stat. 38-13-101 to 38-13-134 (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act)

When someone dies

Steps after a death in Colorado

4-step process for Colorado Department of the Treasury — Great Colorado Payback (Unclaimed Property).

View details →

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

Data sourced from State Unclaimed Property in Colorado primary sources (8 pages reviewed). How we research.

Unclaimed Property

Colorado

treasury.colorado.gov/programs/unclaimed-property→

Administering agency

Colorado Department of the Treasury — Great Colorado Payback (Unclaimed Property)

Phone303-866-6070

WebsiteVisit website →

Authority

Colo. Rev. Stat. 38-13-101 to 38-13-134 (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act)

Verified Jul 2026

State Unclaimed Property in Colorado: key facts

Administering office

Colorado Department of the Treasury, Great Colorado Payback program.

Official search

unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov (free search and online claims). The Treasury's own FAQ points to missingmoney.com to search nationwide.

Heir claim

After a search match, the Unclaimed Property Office sends a claim form. Along with the form, the claimant submits proof of ownership or heirship; the claim form lists the documentation required for that claim. Documents can be uploaded at unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov/app/claim-doc-upload.

Time limit

None. The Treasury acts only as custodian and holds unclaimed property in perpetuity until a valid claim is made — there is no time limit and no charge for claiming it.

Small estate option

Heirs may use Colorado's Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit (form JDF 999, C.R.S. § 15-12-1201) instead of Letters Testamentary when the total fair market value of all property owned by the decedent and subject to disposition by will or intestate succession, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed the threshold for the year of death — $88,000 for Y.O.D. 2026 (adjusted annually). At least 10 days must have elapsed since death, and no application or petition to appoint a personal representative may be pending or granted. The affidavit cannot transfer real estate. Holders, including financial institutions, are discharged when they transfer property on presentation of the affidavit (C.R.S. § 15-12-1202(1)).

Claim processing time

The Colorado State Treasury reports that most claims are processed in a matter of days.

Governing law: Colo. Rev. Stat. 38-13-101 to 38-13-134 (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act)