Find Unclaimed Money in Johnstown

Johnstown residents can search for unclaimed money held by the state of Colorado through the Great Colorado Payback program. This fast-growing town in Weld County may have thousands of dollars waiting for people who lived or worked here. Old bank accounts, utility refunds, uncashed paychecks, and insurance proceeds end up with the State Treasurer when no one claims them. You can search the state database for free using just your name. The state does not charge any fee to claim what belongs to you or your family members.

Weld County Handles Johnstown Records

Johnstown sits in Weld County, so any local records related to property or money matters go through Weld County offices. The county treasurer office is in Greeley at 1400 N. 17th Avenue. They handle property tax payments and questions about local fees or deposits. The county does not hold unclaimed money like the state does, but they can tell you where to look if you have questions about old tax overpayments or refunds.

For most unclaimed money in Johnstown, you search the state database. Weld County and the town of Johnstown now follow state law that requires them to turn over dormant accounts to the Colorado State Treasurer's Office. This change took effect in 2025 when House Bill 25-1224 repealed the local government exemption. That means any unclaimed funds that Johnstown or Weld County once held are now part of the Great Colorado Payback program.

You can contact Johnstown town staff if you have questions about local utility deposits or fees. Most towns hold deposits for water or sewer service. If you moved out and never got your deposit back, search the state database first. Then call the town if you think the deposit is recent and may not have been sent to the state yet.

The Johnstown town website has contact info for each department. The finance office can tell you about any outstanding credits on your account. They cannot release funds without proper documentation, so be ready to prove you are the account holder or a legal heir if you are claiming money for someone who passed away.

Search for Johnstown Unclaimed Funds

The state database includes all unclaimed property from Johnstown and the rest of Colorado. Visit colorado.findyourunclaimedproperty.com to start your search. Type in your first name, last name, or both. You can add "Johnstown" as a city filter if you want to narrow the results to just people who lived here. The system searches over 16.5 million names.

Many types of lost money show up in the database. Bank accounts left open when you moved. Paychecks that never got cashed. Refunds from closed utility accounts. Insurance payments. Safe deposit box contents. Stock dividends. All of these end up with the state after a few years of no owner contact. Businesses must send them to the State Treasurer so the rightful owner can claim them later.

Search for yourself and your family. Try nicknames and maiden names. Look up deceased relatives too, since you may be able to claim their property as an heir. Business owners should search their company name and any old business names they used in Johnstown. You may find money you did not even know was missing.

Each search result shows the property type, the holder who reported it, and a value range. Click any result to see more details. The online system walks you through the claim process step by step. You do not need to hire anyone to help you. The state provides all forms and instructions for free on their website.

Claim Process for Johnstown Residents

Once you find property that belongs to you, click the "Claim It" button to start. The state will ask for proof of identity and proof of address. A driver's license works for both. You can also use a state ID, passport, or other government-issued ID. For address proof, use a utility bill, bank statement, or tax return that shows your name and a Johnstown address.

Claims over $1,000 need a notarized signature. You can get documents notarized at most banks, credit unions, or shipping stores in Johnstown. Some charge a small fee, but many do it for free if you are a customer. The notary must see you sign the form in person and check your ID.

If you are claiming money for someone who died, you need extra documents. The state requires a death certificate and proof that you are the legal heir. A will, probate order, or affidavit of heirship all work. The state reviews these claims more carefully to make sure the money goes to the right person. These claims may take longer than the standard 90-day review period.

You can submit your claim online or print the forms and mail them to the State Treasurer's Office at 200 E. Colfax Ave., Room 141, Denver, CO 80203. Most people file online because it is faster and you can upload documents as images or PDFs. The state sends all payments by check. You should get your payment within a few weeks for simple claims.

Note: The average claim in Colorado processes in just 11 days.

Common Unclaimed Funds in Johnstown

Johnstown has grown fast in recent years, and many people moved here from other parts of Colorado or out of state. That makes it common for residents to have unclaimed property from old addresses. When you move and forget to close an account or update your address, that money can end up with the state.

Utility deposits are one of the most common types of unclaimed money in Johnstown. If you rented a home and paid a deposit to turn on water, electric, or gas, you should have gotten that deposit back when you moved out. Many people forget to ask for it or the check gets sent to an old address. After a few years, the utility company sends the deposit to the state.

Paychecks and wages are also common. If you worked for a company that went out of business or got bought by another company, your last paycheck may have gone unclaimed. Employers must hold uncashed checks for one year before reporting them to the state. If you had direct deposit set up but closed that bank account, the employer may have issued a paper check to your old address.

Bank accounts, savings bonds, and investment accounts can all become unclaimed property. Banks close accounts after several years of no contact. They send the balance to the state along with your last known address. Safe deposit box contents also get turned over after the bank tries to contact you and gets no response. The state holds these items until you claim them.

Watch Out for Scams

Some companies will contact you and say they found unclaimed money in your name. They want you to sign a contract that gives them a percentage of whatever they recover. You do not need to use these companies. You can search and file a claim yourself for free. The state never charges a fee.

If someone calls or emails you about unclaimed property and asks for money upfront, it is a scam. The state will never call you and ask for payment to release funds. They will also never ask for your bank account number or Social Security number over the phone. All claims go through the official state website or by mail to the Denver office.

Real notices from the state come on official letterhead. The return address will show the Colorado State Treasurer's Office in Denver. If you get a check in the mail from the state and did not file a claim, it may be legitimate. Colorado started sending checks proactively when they can identify the owner. Call the state office at 303-866-6070 to verify any check before you cash it if you are not sure it is real.

State Program Information

The Great Colorado Payback program is run by the Division of Unclaimed Property within the Colorado State Treasurer's Office. State Treasurer Dave Young oversees the program, with Bianca Gardelli serving as the Unclaimed Property Director. The division maintains offices in Denver and staff answer questions by phone Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Mountain Time.

Call 303-866-6070 if you are in the Denver metro area, or use the toll-free line at 800-825-2111. You can also email questions about claims to GreatCOPayback@state.co.us. Businesses with questions about holder reporting should email Holders@state.co.us.

The general FAQ page answers most questions about unclaimed property. Topics include what types of property get reported, why businesses turn funds over to the state, how long the claim process takes, and whether there are any fees. The FAQ section helps people understand the program before they start a search or file a claim.

Colorado also participates in MissingMoney.com, a nationwide database that searches multiple states at once. This free service helps people who have lived in different states search many databases with a single query. The site links back to each state's official claim process. If you lived in other states before moving to Johnstown, you should search those states too.

You can check your claim status online using the claim status search tool. Enter your claim number and last name to see where your claim stands in the review process. The state has 90 days by law to review claims and issue payment, but most claims resolve much faster than that.

Colorado Unclaimed Money Law

Colorado unclaimed property law is found in the Colorado Revised Statutes Title 38, Article 13. The state adopted the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act in 2019 through Senate Bill 19-088, which took effect on July 1, 2020. This law updated Colorado's framework to match modern standards used by most other states.

The statute sets dormancy periods for different types of property. Wages and payroll checks become presumed abandoned after one year of no contact with the employee. Bank accounts, utility deposits, and most other property types have a five-year dormancy period. Stocks and dividends have a three-year period. Money orders remain with the issuer for seven years before transfer to the state.

Businesses must perform due diligence before sending property to the state. The law requires holders to send written notice to the last known address of any owner with property valued at $50 or more. The notice must go out between 60 and 120 days before the holder submits their annual report. If the owner responds to the notice, the property does not get reported as unclaimed.

Colorado changed its local government rules in 2025. House Bill 25-1224 repealed the local government exemption that previously existed under CRS 38-13-1504. All cities, counties, and special districts must now comply with state unclaimed property law. Local governments must report and remit dormant accounts by November 1 each year, just like businesses. This change means the town of Johnstown and Weld County must now turn over unclaimed funds to the state.