Search Pueblo Unclaimed Money

Pueblo residents can look for unclaimed money through the Great Colorado Payback program run by the State Treasurer's Office. This Pueblo County city with over 111,000 people may have many unclaimed accounts waiting to be claimed. Old bank deposits, utility refunds, insurance payouts, wage checks, and other dormant assets all end up with the state when businesses cannot locate owners. Search the state database for free and file claims at no cost to recover money that belongs to you.

Pueblo County Handles Local Records

Pueblo is in Pueblo County, which means local property and financial records go through county offices. The Pueblo County Treasurer's Office manages property tax collections and related matters. They do not hold the same types of unclaimed money that go to the state program, but they can help with questions about property tax refunds or overpayments.

Since 2025, Pueblo and Pueblo County must comply with House Bill 25-1224. This law repealed the local government exemption for unclaimed property. Cities and counties now must report dormant accounts to the Colorado State Treasurer's Office by November 1 each year. Any unclaimed money that Pueblo once held is now part of the statewide database managed by the Great Colorado Payback program.

Contact the city of Pueblo if you have questions about utility deposits or local fees. Most cities hold deposits when you start water or sewer service. 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 very recent deposits, call the city finance office to see if the funds are still on their books.

Search for Unclaimed Property

Start your search at colorado.findyourunclaimedproperty.com. Type your name in the search box and the system checks all records instantly. You can add "Pueblo" in the city field to narrow results, but you might miss property if the holder had a different address for you. Cast a wide net first, then filter if you get too many results.

Try different versions of your name. Search your full legal name first, then try nicknames, maiden names, or any other names you have used over the years. Look up family members and deceased relatives too. 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 Pueblo.

Each search result shows key information about the property. You see 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 step by step. You do not need to hire anyone to help you search or file a claim. The state provides all tools and forms for free on their website.

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. Since the program began, Colorado has returned over $858 million to rightful owners. Most claims resolve in about 11 days, though complex cases involving estates or businesses may take the full 90 days allowed by law.

Types of Unclaimed Money in Pueblo

Many different types of assets become unclaimed property in Pueblo. Bank accounts left open when you moved to another city or state. Paychecks that you forgot to cash before leaving a job. Utility refunds from closed accounts. Insurance payments sent to old addresses. Contents of safe deposit boxes. Stock dividends and bond interest. All of these end up with 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. The dormancy period starts when the owner last had contact with the holder or showed interest in the property.

Utility deposits are very common in Pueblo. If you rent an apartment or house 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 move without leaving a forwarding address. The utility company holds the deposit for five years, then reports it to the state if they cannot find you. That money sits in the state database waiting for you to claim it.

Paychecks and wages also show up frequently. 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 within a year, it eventually goes to the state.

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

How to File a Claim

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

Claims over $1,000 require a notarized signature on the claim form. You can get documents notarized at banks, credit unions, or shipping stores in Pueblo. 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 photo ID to verify your identity.

Claims for deceased owners need additional 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 and ensure the money goes to the right person under state inheritance law.

You can 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 reviews your claim and supporting documents. They send all payments by check to the address you provide. Simple claims often get paid in a few weeks.

Note: The average claim in Colorado processes in just 11 days from submission to payment.

Protect Yourself from Scams

Some private companies contact people and claim they found unclaimed money in their name. They want you to sign a contract giving them a percentage of whatever they recover. You do not need these services. You can search and claim money yourself for free. The state never charges fees for any part of the search or claim process.

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 at colorado.findyourunclaimedproperty.com 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 legitimate. Colorado started sending proactive payments when they can identify owners without requiring a formal claim. Call 303-866-6070 to verify any check before you cash it if you have concerns about whether it is real.

State Program Resources

The Great Colorado Payback program operates through 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 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 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 FAQ page answers most common questions about the program. Topics include what types of property get reported, why businesses turn over funds to the state, how long the claim process takes, and whether there are any fees. Review the FAQ section before you search or file a claim to understand how the program works.

Colorado also participates in MissingMoney.com, a free nationwide database that searches multiple states at once. This tool helps people who have lived in several states search many databases with a single query. Each result links back to the official claim process for that state. If you lived in other states before moving to Pueblo, you should search those state databases too.

You can check your claim status online using the claim status tool. Enter your claim number and last name to see where your claim stands in the review process. The system tells you if they need additional documents from you or when to expect payment.

Colorado Unclaimed Property 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. This law took effect on July 1, 2020. It updated Colorado's framework to match modern standards used by most other states.

The statute sets different dormancy periods for each type of property. 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 before transfer to the state. 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 previously allowed cities and counties to keep unclaimed funds. All local governments now must report dormant accounts by November 1 each year. Pueblo and Pueblo County must turn over unclaimed money to the state just like private businesses do.