Lafayette Unclaimed Property Database

Lafayette residents have access to the state unclaimed money database through the Great Colorado Payback program. This Boulder County city may hold thousands in lost funds for current and former residents. Old utility deposits, bank accounts, insurance refunds, and wage checks all end up with the State Treasurer when owners lose track of them. You can search the full database at no cost. The state never charges a fee to claim money that belongs to you.

Boulder County Records for Lafayette

Lafayette is in Boulder County, which means any local government records related to property or financial matters go through county offices. The Boulder County Treasurer's Office is at 1325 Pearl Street in Boulder. They manage property taxes and related functions. They do not hold unclaimed money the way the state does, but they can help with questions about tax refunds or overpayments.

Since 2025, Lafayette and Boulder County must follow state law that requires them to turn over dormant funds to the Colorado State Treasurer's Office. House Bill 25-1224 changed the rules for local governments. Before this law passed, cities and counties could keep unclaimed funds. Now they must report them just like businesses do. Any unclaimed money that Lafayette once held is now part of the statewide database.

Contact Lafayette city offices if you have questions about utility deposits or local fees. Many cities hold deposits when you start water or sewer service. If you moved and never got that money back, check the state database. The city may have already sent it to the State Treasurer. For recent deposits, call the city finance office to see if they still have the funds on file.

How to Search for Lafayette Unclaimed Funds

Start at colorado.findyourunclaimedproperty.com to search the state database. Type your name in the search box. The system checks all records and shows matches right away. You can add "Lafayette" in the city field to filter results to just this area, but you might miss property if the holder had an old address for you.

Try different versions of your name. Use your full legal name first. Then search nicknames or maiden names. Look up family members too. You can claim property for deceased relatives if you are the legal heir. Business owners should search company names and any former names they used when they ran a business in Lafayette.

Each result shows key info about the property. You see the property type, the holder who reported it, and an estimated value. Click any result for more details. The online system guides you through the claim process. You do not need to pay anyone to help you search or file a claim. The state provides all tools and forms at no charge.

Colorado holds over $2.5 billion in unclaimed property for more than 16.5 million names. Every year the program processes over 86,000 claims worth nearly $80 million. Most claims take about 11 days to complete, though complex cases may take the full 90 days allowed by law.

Common Types of Unclaimed Money

Many different kinds of assets become unclaimed property. Bank accounts left open when you move. Paychecks you forgot to cash. Utility refunds from closed accounts. Insurance payments. Safe deposit box contents. Stock dividends. All of these end up with the state after businesses try to reach you and fail.

The law sets dormancy periods for each type of property. Wages become presumed abandoned after one year of no contact. Most other property types have a five-year period. Stocks have a three-year dormancy period. Once the time runs out, the business must report the property to the state and turn over the funds.

Utility deposits are very common in Lafayette. If you rent and move out, you should get your deposit back from the utility company. Many people forget to claim it or the check goes to an old address. After five years, the utility company sends the money to the state. Search the database to see if your old deposit is waiting for you.

Insurance proceeds also show up often. Life insurance, health insurance refunds, and property insurance overpayments all get reported if the company cannot find the owner. Sometimes people change addresses and forget to update their insurance company. The payment gets returned and ends up with the state years later.

File Your Claim Online

Once you find property in your name, click "Claim It" to begin the process. The state asks for proof of your identity and address. A driver's license or state ID works for both. You can also use a passport, utility bill, bank statement, or tax return. The documents must show your name and a Lafayette address or an address that matches what the holder reported.

Claims over $1,000 need a notarized signature. You can get forms notarized at banks, credit unions, or shipping stores. Some charge a fee, but many do it free for customers. The notary checks your ID and watches you sign the form.

If you are claiming money for someone who died, you need more documents. The state requires a death certificate and proof of your legal right to the property. A will, probate order, or affidavit of heirship all work. These claims take longer to review because the state must verify the chain of ownership.

You can file online or print forms and mail them to the State Treasurer's Office at 200 E. Colfax Ave., Room 141, Denver, CO 80203. Online filing is faster because you can upload documents as images or PDFs. The state sends all payments by check. Simple claims often get paid in a few weeks.

Note: Colorado now sends proactive checks when they can identify owners without a formal claim.

Avoid Unclaimed Money Scams

Some private companies contact people and say they found unclaimed money. They want you to sign a contract giving them a cut of what they recover. You do not need these services. You can search and claim money yourself at no cost. The state never charges fees.

If someone calls or emails asking for upfront payment to access unclaimed property, it is a scam. The state will never call and ask for money to release funds. They will not ask for your bank account number or Social Security number over the phone. All real claims go through the official website or by mail to Denver.

Real notices from the state come on official letterhead with a Denver return address. If you get a check from the State Treasurer and did not file a claim, it may be real. Colorado started sending proactive payments. Call 303-866-6070 to verify any unexpected check before you cash it.

Contact the State Program

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 as the Unclaimed Property Director. The division has offices in Denver at 200 E. Colfax Ave., Room 141.

Staff answer questions by phone Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Mountain Time. Call 303-866-6070 in the Denver metro area, or use the toll-free line at 800-825-2111. You can also email questions to GreatCOPayback@state.co.us. Businesses should email Holders@state.co.us for reporting questions.

The FAQ page covers most common questions. Topics include what types of property get reported, why businesses turn over funds, how long claims take, and whether there are fees. Review the FAQ before you search or file a claim.

Colorado participates in MissingMoney.com, a nationwide search tool. This free service searches multiple states at once. It helps people who moved around search many databases with one query. Each result links back to the official state claim process.

Use the claim status tool to check where your claim stands. Enter your claim number and last name. The system shows you the current status and tells you if they need more documents from you.

Colorado Unclaimed Property Law

Colorado unclaimed property law appears 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. The new law took effect on July 1, 2020. It updated Colorado's rules to match modern standards.

The law sets time limits for each type of property. Wages become abandoned after one year. Bank accounts and utility deposits have a five-year period. Stocks and dividends have three years. Money orders stay with the issuer for seven years. The time starts when the owner last had contact with the holder or showed interest in the property.

Businesses must try to find owners before sending property to the state. They must mail a notice to the last known address for any property worth $50 or more. The notice goes out between 60 and 120 days before the annual report. If the owner responds, the property does not get reported as unclaimed.

House Bill 25-1224 changed the rules for local governments in 2025. It repealed the exemption that let cities and counties keep unclaimed funds. Now all local governments must report dormant accounts by November 1 each year. This means Lafayette and Boulder County must turn over any unclaimed money to the state just like private businesses do.