Routt County Unclaimed Funds
Routt County unclaimed money sits in the state database waiting for owners to claim it. The Great Colorado Payback program holds over $2.5 billion for people across Colorado. Lost bank accounts, forgotten paychecks, utility refunds, and insurance proceeds all end up here. Search the free online system with your name. File a claim if you find property that belongs to you. The State Treasurer manages these funds at no cost. Most claims process in just 11 days once you send in the required papers.
Routt County Quick Facts
Unclaimed Property in Routt County
Routt County residents follow the same process as people in other parts of Colorado when searching for unclaimed money. All dormant accounts from local banks, businesses, and employers get sent to the State Treasurer in Denver. The county government does not hold these funds. State law requires businesses to turn over inactive accounts after the dormancy period ends.
The Routt County Treasurer handles local tax collection and property assessments. That office sits at 522 Lincoln Ave in Steamboat Springs. You can reach them at 970-870-5555 with questions about property taxes or vehicle registration. But for unclaimed money claims, you must work with the State Treasurer's Office, not the county.
Routt County maintains a website with information about local government services. The county seat is Steamboat Springs, which serves as the hub for county operations and services.
Local banks and credit unions in Routt County must report dormant accounts to the state. This includes accounts at community banks in Steamboat Springs and other towns. After five years with no owner contact, these accounts become presumed abandoned. The bank sends the money to Denver, where it gets listed in the public database.
Search the State Database
Colorado provides a free online search at the Great Colorado Payback website. Type your name in the search box. Hit search. The system checks over 16.5 million names and shows all matches. Results come up fast on your screen.
Each result tells you the property type, the business that reported it, and a value range. Common types include bank accounts, paychecks, insurance money, stock dividends, and utility deposits. Click any result to see more detail and start a claim. The site walks you through each step of the claim process.
Search for different name variations to find all property that might belong to you. Try your legal name first. Then try nicknames or maiden names. Business owners should search their company name and any former business names used in Routt County. You can also search for deceased relatives, as heirs have the right to claim property belonging to family members who have passed away.
The Department of Treasury locality page provides contact information for the Routt County Treasurer. This resource helps people find local offices for tax matters, but remember that all unclaimed property claims go through the state in Denver.
The database updates throughout the year as new reports come in. Most businesses report by November 1. Insurance companies report by May 1. This means new Routt County property appears regularly as companies file their annual reports with the State Treasurer.
How to File Your Claim
Filing a claim is free. Most people do it all online. Find your name in the database first. Click to start a claim. The website tells you what documents to send. You upload photos or scans of your proof right on the site.
Basic claims need proof of who you are and where you live. Use a driver's license or state ID. Add a utility bill or bank statement with your current Routt County address. For property over $1,000, you must get a notary to watch you sign the claim form. Smaller claims do not need a notary.
Claims for deceased owners need extra documentation. Submit a death certificate. Also submit proof that you have the right to claim the property. This might be a will, probate papers, or an affidavit of heirship. The state checks these inheritance claims carefully to make sure property goes to the right person.
State law gives the Treasurer 90 days to review and pay your claim. Most finish faster. The average is 11 days. More complex claims may take longer if the state needs additional verification. Check your claim status online using the tracking tool on the state website. Payment comes by check in the mail once your claim is approved.
Types of Unclaimed Money
Many kinds of assets end up as unclaimed property in Routt County. Bank accounts go dormant when people move and forget to update their address with the bank. Employers hold final paychecks for workers who leave without providing a forwarding address. Utility companies keep deposits from closed accounts. Insurance companies have policy proceeds that were never claimed by beneficiaries.
Common property types from Routt County include:
- Checking and savings accounts inactive for five years
- Uncashed payroll checks after one year
- Security deposits from landlords or utilities
- Insurance policy proceeds and refunds
- Stock dividends and bond interest
- Safe deposit box contents after five years
- Vendor overpayments and refunds
The dormancy period varies by property type under Colorado law. Wages become unclaimed after just one year. Most other property uses a five-year period. Stocks and dividends have a three-year dormancy period. Money orders stay with the issuer for seven years before going to the state.
Your property does not disappear once it reaches the state. Colorado keeps it forever. There is no deadline to file a claim. Your Routt County money sits in the database until you come forward. The state cannot take ownership or spend your funds. This protects owner rights permanently under state law.
Colorado Unclaimed Property Law
State law governs unclaimed property across Colorado, including Routt County. The rules appear in Colorado Revised Statutes Title 38, Article 13. Colorado adopted the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act in 2019. This law took effect on July 1, 2020. It updated the state framework to match modern standards.
Businesses must perform due diligence before reporting property to the state. For accounts worth $50 or more, holders must send written notice to the owner's last known address. This notice goes out between 60 and 120 days before the report deadline. If the owner responds, the property stays with the holder. This gives Routt County residents a chance to claim money directly from the business.
House Bill 25-1224 changed local government rules in 2025. Previously, counties and cities did not have to report unclaimed property. Now they do. All local government entities in Routt County must comply with state law. They report dormant accounts by November 1 each year, just like businesses.
Senate Bill 25-068 created an exception for municipally owned utilities. These entities can use unclaimed deposits for bill payment assistance programs instead of sending the funds to the state. This helps low-income residents with their utility bills while still ensuring the money benefits the public.
Requirements for Businesses
Routt County businesses that hold dormant accounts must report them to the state. This applies to banks, employers, retailers, insurance companies, and professional service providers. Even small local shops must comply if they have unclaimed property to report.
Most businesses file their annual report by November 1. Insurance companies use a May 1 deadline. Holders submit reports online through the state portal and remit the actual funds at the same time. Late reports can result in interest charges and penalties under state law. Businesses with questions can email Holders@state.co.us for guidance from state staff.
Get Help with Unclaimed Money
The State Treasurer's Office answers questions about unclaimed property. Call 303-866-6070 from Denver or 800-825-2111 toll-free from anywhere in Colorado. Phone support runs Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Mountain Time. Email GreatCOPayback@state.co.us with questions about claims.
The frequently asked questions page covers common topics. Learn about property types, claim requirements, and processing times. Read the FAQ before calling so you understand the basics.
The state office sits at 200 E. Colfax Ave., Room 141, Denver, CO 80203. You can visit in person during business hours if you need help with a complex claim. Bring all documents with you for staff review. This works well for Routt County residents who will be in Denver and want to resolve their claim in one trip.
Note: Never pay anyone to help you file a claim for unclaimed money in Routt County or anywhere else in Colorado.