Search Saguache County Unclaimed Funds

Saguache County unclaimed money searches start with the state database. Colorado holds lost funds from bank accounts, old paychecks, insurance refunds, and utility deposits. The Great Colorado Payback program manages these assets for free. Type your name in the online search tool to see if property belongs to you. No cost to search. No cost to file a claim. Saguache County residents can access the system any time to look for funds that may be waiting for them.

Unclaimed Property from Saguache County

Unclaimed money comes from accounts with no owner contact for a set time. Banks hold deposits that people forget. Employers keep paychecks that never got cashed. Insurance companies have proceeds that were not claimed. After the dormancy period ends, these businesses send the money to Colorado. The state then lists it in a public database where anyone can search.

The State Treasurer does not own your property. It acts as a keeper until you file a claim. There is no deadline to claim. Your funds stay available forever. The state provides this service for free. You never pay to search or claim property in Saguache County or anywhere in Colorado.

The County Treasurer in Saguache County handles local tax collection. That office sits at 504 3rd St, Saguache, CO 81149. Call 719-655-2534 with questions about property taxes or vehicle registration. But for unclaimed money claims, you must work with the State Treasurer, not the county.

How to Search for Your Money

Colorado provides a free search tool at the Great Colorado Payback website. No sign up is needed. Go to the site and type your name. The system checks over 16.5 million names. Results show up in seconds on your screen.

Each result shows the property type, the business that sent it, and a value range. Common types include bank accounts, paychecks, utility refunds, insurance money, and stock dividends. Click any result to view more information and start a claim. The site guides you through each step and tells you what documents to submit.

Search for different versions of your name to find all property. Try your full legal name first. Then try nicknames or maiden names. Business owners should search their company name and any old names they used. You can also search for people who have died. Heirs can claim property that belonged to deceased family members who lived in Saguache County.

The Department of Treasury locality page provides contact information for the Saguache County Treasurer. This can help if you need to reach local offices for tax matters, but remember that unclaimed property claims go through the state.

The database updates regularly as new reports come in. Most businesses report by November 1. Insurance companies report by May 1. New Saguache County property appears throughout the year as companies file their annual reports with the State Treasurer.

File a Claim for Your Property

Most people file claims online. Find your name in the database first. Click to start. The website walks you through the steps. It tells you what proof you need. You upload photos or scans of documents right on the site.

Basic claims need two things. First, proof of who you are. Use a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Second, proof of where you live. Use a utility bill, bank statement, or lease with your current Saguache County address. If the property is worth more than $1,000, you must get your signature notarized on the claim form. Smaller claims do not need a notary.

Claims for deceased owners take extra steps. You must submit a death certificate for the person who owned the property. You also need proof that you are entitled to claim it. This might be a will, probate documents from court, or an affidavit showing you are the closest living relative. The state reviews inheritance claims carefully to protect the rights of all possible heirs.

State law gives the Treasurer 90 days to review and pay your claim. Most finish much faster. The average is 11 days. Complex claims with estates or disputes may take the full 90 days or more if the state needs extra verification. You can check your claim status online using the tracking tool. The state sends payment by check once your claim is approved.

Common Types of Unclaimed Money

Many kinds of financial assets become unclaimed property. Bank accounts go dormant when people move and do not update their address. Employers hold final paychecks for workers who leave without a forwarding address. Utility companies keep deposits from closed accounts. Insurance companies have proceeds that were never claimed.

Unclaimed property from Saguache County often includes these types:

• Bank accounts inactive for five years
• Uncashed payroll checks after one year
• Utility security deposits
• Insurance proceeds and refunds
• Stock dividends and bond interest
• Safe deposit box contents
• Refunds from vendors or businesses

The dormancy period varies by property type. Wages become unclaimed after one year. Most other property has a five-year period. Stocks and dividends use three years. Money orders stay with the issuer for seven years before transfer to the state. These periods start when the owner last had contact with the holder or showed interest in the account.

Your property does not disappear once it reaches the state. Colorado keeps it forever. There is no deadline to file a claim. Your Saguache County funds sit in the database until you come forward. The state cannot take ownership or spend your money. This protects owner rights permanently.

State Law on Unclaimed Property

Colorado law governs how unclaimed property works in Saguache County and across the state. The rules appear in Colorado Revised Statutes Title 38, Article 13. Colorado adopted the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act in 2019 through Senate Bill 19-088. This law took effect on July 1, 2020.

Businesses must try to find owners before sending property to the state. For accounts worth $50 or more, holders must send written notice to the last known address. This notice goes out between 60 and 120 days before the annual report deadline. If the owner responds, the property stays with the business. This gives Saguache County residents a chance to claim money directly from the holder.

House Bill 25-1224 changed the rules for local governments in 2025. Previously, cities, counties, and special districts did not have to report unclaimed property. Now they do. All local government entities in Saguache County must comply with state law. They report dormant accounts by November 1 each year, just like businesses.

Requirements for Saguache County Businesses

Any business in Saguache County that holds dormant accounts must report them to the state. This includes banks, employers, utilities, retailers, and professional services. Even small local shops must comply if they have unclaimed property.

Most businesses file by November 1. Insurance companies use a May 1 deadline. Holders submit reports online and remit the actual funds at the same time. Late reports can result in interest charges and penalties. Businesses with questions can email Holders@state.co.us for guidance.

Contact the Unclaimed Property Division

The Division of Unclaimed Property operates within the Colorado State Treasurer's Office. State Treasurer Dave Young oversees the program. Bianca Gardelli serves as the Unclaimed Property Director. The office sits at 200 E. Colfax Ave., Room 141, Denver, CO 80203.

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 questions to GreatCOPayback@state.co.us. Staff respond to emails within a few business days.

The FAQ page answers common questions about unclaimed property. Learn what types of property get reported, why businesses turn funds over to the state, how long claims take, and whether there are any fees. Read the FAQ before calling so you understand the basics of the program.

Colorado participates in MissingMoney.com, a nationwide database that searches multiple states at once. This free service helps people who have lived in different states. The site links back to each state's official claim process.

Note: The state provides all services for free, so never pay anyone to help you file a claim for Saguache County unclaimed money.