Search Lochbuie Unclaimed Funds

Lochbuie residents can look for unclaimed money through the Great Colorado Payback program managed by the State Treasurer's Office. This small but growing Weld County town may have lost funds waiting for current and former residents. Old bank accounts, utility refunds, uncashed paychecks, and insurance proceeds all end up with the state when companies cannot find owners. You can search the state database for free using just a name. There are no fees to claim money that belongs to you.

Weld County Manages Lochbuie

Lochbuie sits in Weld County, so local financial and property records go through county offices in Greeley. The Weld County Treasurer's Office handles property tax payments and related matters. They do not hold unclaimed money the way the state does, but they can answer questions about tax refunds or overpayments on property taxes.

Since 2025, Lochbuie and Weld County must comply with House Bill 25-1224. This law repealed the local government exemption for unclaimed property. Before this change, cities and counties could keep dormant funds. Now they must report and remit them to the Colorado State Treasurer's Office by November 1 each year. Any unclaimed money that Lochbuie once held is now part of the statewide database.

Contact the town of Lochbuie if you have questions about recent utility deposits or local fees. Most towns hold deposits when you start water or sewer service. If you moved out and never got that deposit back, check the state database first. The town may have already sent it to the State Treasurer. For very recent deposits, call the town office to see if the funds are still on their accounts.

Lochbuie has grown fast in recent years. Many new residents moved here from other parts of Colorado or out of state. That growth means more people may have unclaimed property from old addresses. When you move and forget to close an account or update your address with a business, that money can end up with the state after a few years of no contact.

Search for Your Money Online

Go to colorado.findyourunclaimedproperty.com to search the state database. Type your name and the system checks all records. You can add "Lochbuie" in the city field to narrow results, but you might miss property if the holder had a different address for you. Start with a broad search, then filter if needed.

Try different versions of your name. Search your full legal name first. Then try nicknames, maiden names, or any other names you have used. Look up family members and deceased relatives. You can claim property for someone who died if you are their legal heir. Business owners should search their company name and any former names they operated under when they ran a business in Lochbuie.

Each search result shows the property type, the holder who reported it, and an estimated value range. Click any result to view more details and start a claim. The online system guides you through the whole process. You do not need to hire anyone to help you. The state provides all tools and forms for free.

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

What Gets Reported as Unclaimed

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

The law sets dormancy periods by property type. Wages and paychecks become presumed abandoned after one year of no owner contact. Bank accounts, utility deposits, and most other property types have a five-year dormancy period. Stocks and dividends have three years. Money orders stay with the issuer for seven years before transfer to the state.

Utility deposits are common in Lochbuie. If you rent and pay a deposit to turn on services, you should get that money back when you move out. Many people forget to claim it or the check goes to an old address. After five years of no contact, the utility company sends the deposit to the state.

Paychecks and wages also appear often in the database. If an employer could not deliver your last paycheck or you forgot to cash it, that money gets reported after one year. Direct deposit failures can also create unclaimed property. If the bank account on file is closed, the employer issues a paper check. If you do not cash it, it eventually goes to the state.

How to Claim What is Yours

Once you find property in your name, click "Claim It" to start the process. The state asks for documents to prove 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. Your documents must show your name and an address that matches what the holder reported or your current Lochbuie address.

Claims over $1,000 require a notarized signature on the claim form. You can get forms notarized at banks, credit unions, or shipping stores. Some charge a small fee, but many do it free for customers. The notary must see you sign the form in person and check your ID.

Claims for deceased owners need extra documentation. The state requires a death certificate and proof that you are the legal heir. Acceptable documents include a will, probate order, or affidavit of heirship. These claims take longer to process because the state must verify the chain of ownership.

File 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. 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 started sending proactive checks when they can verify ownership without requiring a formal claim.

Watch Out for Scams

Some private companies contact people claiming they found unclaimed money. They want you to sign a contract giving them a percentage of what they recover. You do not need these services. You can search and claim money yourself for free. The state never charges fees for searching or claiming.

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

Real notices from the state come on official letterhead with a return address showing the Colorado State Treasurer's Office in Denver. If you receive an unexpected check from the State Treasurer and did not file a claim, it might be real. Colorado now sends proactive payments. Call 303-866-6070 to verify any check before you cash it if you are not sure.

State Program Contact Info

The Great Colorado Payback program runs through the Division of Unclaimed Property within the Colorado State Treasurer's Office. State Treasurer Dave Young oversees the program. Bianca Gardelli serves as the Unclaimed Property Director. The division maintains 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. Email questions about claims to GreatCOPayback@state.co.us. Businesses with reporting questions should email Holders@state.co.us.

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

Colorado participates in MissingMoney.com, a free nationwide database that searches multiple states at once. This tool helps people who have lived in different states. Each result links back to the official claim process for that state. If you lived elsewhere before moving to Lochbuie, search those state databases too.

Check your claim status online using the claim status tool. Enter your claim number and last name to see where your claim stands. The system tells you if they need more documents or when to expect payment.

Colorado Unclaimed Property Law

Colorado unclaimed property law is 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. This law took effect on July 1, 2020. It updated Colorado's framework to match modern standards used in most other states.

The statute sets dormancy periods by property type. Wages become abandoned after one year. Bank accounts and utility deposits have five years. Stocks and dividends have three years. Money orders remain with the issuer for seven years. The dormancy period starts when the owner last had contact with the holder or showed interest in the property.

Businesses must perform due diligence before reporting property to the state. They must send written notice to the last known address for any property worth $50 or more. The notice goes 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.

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