Find Unclaimed Money in San Miguel County

San Miguel County unclaimed money sits in the state database with billions in lost funds from across Colorado. The Great Colorado Payback program holds forgotten bank accounts, old paychecks, utility deposits, and insurance refunds. Type your name in the free search tool to see if property belongs to you. No cost to look or claim. San Miguel County residents can access the online system any time to search for funds they may not know exist.

San Miguel County Treasurer Office

The San Miguel County Treasurer handles local tax collection and property payments. Brandi R. Hatfield serves as County Treasurer. The office sits at 305 W Colorado Ave in Telluride. Staff work Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Call 970-728-3893 with questions about property taxes or vehicle registration.

The County Treasurer does not hold unclaimed money. All dormant accounts from local banks and businesses go to the State Treasurer in Denver under Colorado law. This applies to every county in the state, including San Miguel County.

Local banks, employers, and utility companies in San Miguel County must turn over inactive accounts after the dormancy period ends. These funds get sent to Denver each year. The state then lists them in the Great Colorado Payback database where anyone can search by name.

San Miguel County offers an online tax payment system for property taxes and other county fees. This system helps residents pay their tax bills but does not handle unclaimed money claims. All unclaimed property claims must go through the State Treasurer's Office.

Residents can use the county tax system to look up their property tax information and make payments online. But for searching unclaimed money from San Miguel County sources, you must use the state database instead.

Search the State Database

Colorado provides free access to search for unclaimed money at the Great Colorado Payback website. No registration is required. Type your name in the search box and hit search. The system checks over 16.5 million names and shows all matches in seconds.

Each result shows the property type, the business that reported it, and a value range. Common types include bank accounts, paychecks, utility refunds, insurance proceeds, and stock dividends. Click any result to view more detail and start a claim. The website guides you through each step of the claim process.

Search for different versions of your name to find all property. Try your full legal name first. Then try nicknames or maiden names if you changed your last name. Business owners should search their company name and any former names used in San Miguel County. You can also search for deceased relatives since heirs can claim property for family members who have passed away.

The state database updates regularly as new reports come in from holders. Most businesses report by November 1. Insurance companies report by May 1. This means new San Miguel County property appears throughout the year as companies file their annual reports with the State Treasurer.

File Your Claim Online

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

Basic claims need two things: proof of identity and proof of address. Use a driver's license, state ID, or passport to prove who you are. Use a utility bill, bank statement, or lease to prove where you live in San Miguel County. If the property is worth more than $1,000, you must get your signature notarized on the claim form. Claims under $1,000 do not need a notary.

Claims for deceased owners take extra steps. Submit a death certificate for the person who owned the property. Also submit proof that you are entitled to claim it, such as a will, probate documents, or an affidavit of heirship. 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 claims. Most finish much faster. The average is 11 days. Complex claims with estates or disputes may take the full 90 days or more if extra verification is needed. Check your claim status online using the tracking tool on the Great Colorado Payback website. The state sends payment by check once your claim is approved.

Types of Unclaimed Property

Many kinds of financial assets become unclaimed property. Bank accounts go dormant when people move and do not update their address. Employers hold paychecks that never get cashed. Utility companies keep deposits from closed accounts. Insurance companies have proceeds that were not claimed by beneficiaries.

Common types from San Miguel County include:

• Bank accounts inactive for five years
• Uncashed payroll checks after one year
• Security deposits from utilities or landlords
• Insurance proceeds and refunds
• Stock dividends and bond interest
• Safe deposit box contents after five years
• Vendor refunds or overpayments

The dormancy period varies by property type under Colorado law. 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 San Miguel County funds sit in the database until you come forward. The state cannot take ownership or spend your money. This protects owner rights permanently under Colorado law.

Colorado Unclaimed Property Law

State law governs how unclaimed property works in San Miguel County and across Colorado. 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 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 annual report deadline. If the owner responds, the property stays with the holder. This gives San Miguel County residents a chance to claim money directly from the business before it goes to the state.

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

Requirements for San Miguel County Businesses

Any business in San Miguel 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 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 the Unclaimed Property Division staff.

Contact the State Treasurer

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 get reported, why businesses turn funds over to the state, how long claims take, and whether there are 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. Use this tool if you have lived outside San Miguel County or outside Colorado.

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