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.
Administering agency
Colorado Department of the Treasury — Great Colorado Payback (Unclaimed Property)
Authority
Colo. Rev. Stat. 38-13-101 to 38-13-1504 (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act)
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 38-13-1504 (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act)
Steps to take when someone dies
- Search unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov for the deceased's name, business name, and former cities; the Treasury's FAQ also points to missingmoney.com for a nationwide search.
- Select the property and file the claim through the portal. The Unclaimed Property Office sends a claim form listing the documentation that claim requires.
- Return the claim form with proof of ownership or heirship, uploading documents at unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov/app/claim-doc-upload for fastest processing.
- Track the claim at unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov/app/claim-status-search; the Treasury reports most claims are processed in a matter of days.
Colorado Department of the Treasury — Great Colorado Payback (Unclaimed Property)
Phone: 303-866-6070
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
Search unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov through the Great Colorado Payback program and file a claim on the property. The Unclaimed Property Office sends a claim form, and the form lists the documentation required — claimants submit proof of ownership or heirship with it. Questions go to the claim line at 303-866-6070 or 1-800-825-2111.
No. The Colorado State 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, so heirs can file no matter how much time has passed.
The Colorado Department of the Treasury administers it through the Great Colorado Payback program under the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (Colo. Rev. Stat. 38-13-101 to 38-13-1504). The free search and claim portal is at unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov.
Yes, if the total fair market value of the decedent's property 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 deaths in 2026 (adjusted annually under C.R.S. § 15-12-1201) — and no application or petition for a personal representative is pending or has been granted, a successor may present the Colorado Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit (form JDF 999) at least 10 days after death. Holders are discharged upon transfer as if they had dealt with a personal representative.
Sources
Data sourced from State Unclaimed Property in Colorado primary sources (8 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Colorado Department of the Treasury — Great Colorado Payback (Unclaimed Property)
Authority
Colo. Rev. Stat. 38-13-101 to 38-13-1504 (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act)