Lone Tree Unclaimed Property Search

Lone Tree residents have access to the Great Colorado Payback program to find unclaimed money held by the state. This Douglas County city may have thousands of dollars waiting for current and former residents. Old bank accounts, utility deposits, insurance refunds, and uncashed checks all end up with the State Treasurer when companies lose contact with owners. Search the state database for free and claim any money that belongs to you at no cost.

Douglas County Handles Lone Tree

Lone Tree is located in Douglas County, so local records related to property and financial matters go through county offices in Castle Rock. The Douglas County Treasurer's Office manages property tax payments and related functions. They do not hold the same types of unclaimed money that go to the state program, but they can help with questions about tax overpayments.

Since 2025, Lone Tree and Douglas County must comply with state law that requires them to turn over dormant funds to the Colorado State Treasurer's Office. House Bill 25-1224 repealed the local government exemption. Now cities and counties must report unclaimed funds annually by November 1, just like private businesses. Any unclaimed money that Lone Tree once held is now part of the statewide database.

Contact the city of Lone Tree if you have questions about utility deposits or local fees. If you moved out and never received your deposit back, check the state database first. The city may have already sent it to the State Treasurer. For recent deposits, call the city finance office.

How to Search for Lost Money

Start your search at colorado.findyourunclaimedproperty.com. Type your name and the system checks all records. You can add "Lone Tree" in the city field to filter results, but you might miss property if the holder had an old address. Search broadly first.

Try different versions of your name. Search your full legal name, then try nicknames or maiden names. 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 used in Lone Tree.

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

Colorado holds over $2.5 billion in unclaimed property for more than 16.5 million names. The program processes over 86,000 claims each year worth nearly $80 million. Most claims resolve in about 11 days.

Common Types of Unclaimed Funds

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 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. Bank accounts and utility deposits have five years. 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 Lone Tree. If you rent and pay a deposit to turn on services, you should get that money back when you move out. Many people forget or the check goes to an old address. After five years, the utility company sends the deposit to the state.

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.

File Your Claim Online

Once you find property in your name, click "Claim It" to begin. The state asks for proof of 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 Lone Tree address.

Claims over $1,000 need a notarized signature. 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.

Claims for deceased owners need extra documentation. The state requires a death certificate and proof of legal heirship. A will, probate order, or affidavit of heirship all work. These claims take longer because the state must verify the ownership chain.

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. 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 verify ownership without a formal claim.

Avoid Unclaimed Money Scams

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

If someone calls or emails asking for upfront payment, it is a scam. The state will never call and ask for money. 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 Denver.

Real notices from the state come on official letterhead with a Denver return address. If you receive an unexpected check from the State Treasurer, it might be real. Colorado sends proactive payments. Call 303-866-6070 to verify any check before you cash it.

Contact the State Program

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 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 to GreatCOPayback@state.co.us. Businesses 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 claims take, and whether there are fees.

Colorado participates in MissingMoney.com, a free nationwide database that searches multiple states at once. If you lived elsewhere before Lone Tree, search those state databases too.

Check your claim status using the claim status tool. Enter your claim number and last name to see where your claim stands.

State 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 July 1, 2020.

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.

Businesses must perform due diligence before reporting property. 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 annual report.

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.