Summit County Unclaimed Funds
Summit County unclaimed money sits in the state database with billions in lost funds from across Colorado. The Great Colorado Payback program holds forgotten accounts, old wages, utility deposits, and insurance proceeds. Search the free online system with your name to see if property belongs to you. No cost to search or file a claim. Summit County residents can access the database any time to look for funds they may not know exist.
Summit County Quick Facts
Summit County Treasurer Office
Kathleen Neel serves as the Summit County Treasurer. The office handles local tax collection and property assessments. You can reach the office at PO Box 68, Breckenridge, CO 80424. Call 970-453-3442 with questions about property taxes or vehicle registration. Fax documents to 970-453-3536.
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. Summit County follows the same rules as every other county in the state.
Summit County maintains a government website with information about local services. The county seat is Breckenridge, where most county offices are located.
Local banks, employers, and utility companies in Summit 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.
Search the State Database
Colorado provides free access to search for unclaimed money at the Great Colorado Payback website. Type your name in the search box. 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 money, and stock dividends. Click any result to view more detail and start a claim. The site 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 Summit County. You can also search for deceased relatives since heirs can claim property for family members who have passed away.
The Department of Treasury locality page provides contact information for the Summit County Treasurer. This resource helps people find local offices for tax matters, but all unclaimed property claims go through the state in Denver.
The database updates regularly as new reports come in. Most businesses report by November 1. Insurance companies report by May 1. This means new Summit County property appears throughout the year as companies file their annual reports with the State Treasurer.
File Your Claim
Filing a claim is free and simple. Most people do it 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 proof of identity and proof of address. Use a driver's license or state ID. Add a utility bill or bank statement with your current Summit County address. For property 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. Also submit proof that you are entitled to claim the property, such as a will, probate documents, or an affidavit of heirship. The state reviews inheritance claims carefully to ensure property goes to the rightful heir.
State law gives the Treasurer 90 days to review and pay claims. Most finish much faster. The average is 11 days. More complex claims may take longer if extra verification is needed. Check your claim status online using the tracking tool. Payment comes by check once your claim is approved.
Types of Unclaimed Property
Many kinds of financial assets end up as unclaimed property in Summit County. Bank accounts go dormant when people move and do not update their address. Employers hold final paychecks for workers who leave without providing a forwarding address. Utility companies keep deposits from closed accounts. Insurance companies have proceeds that were not claimed by beneficiaries.
Common types from Summit 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.
Your property does not disappear once it reaches the state. Colorado keeps it forever. There is no deadline to file a claim. Your Summit County funds sit in the database until you come forward. The state cannot take ownership or spend your money. This protects owner rights permanently.
Colorado Unclaimed Property Law
State law governs unclaimed property in Summit 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 report deadline. If the owner responds, the property stays with the holder. This gives Summit County residents a chance to claim money directly from the business.
House Bill 25-1224 changed local government rules in 2025. All cities, counties, and special districts now must comply with unclaimed property law. They report dormant accounts by November 1 each year, just like businesses. This applies to Summit County government entities as well.
Requirements for Businesses
Summit County businesses that hold 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 by November 1. Insurance companies use a May 1 deadline. Holders submit reports online and remit 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.
Get Help with Your Claim
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.
The 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.
The FAQ page covers common topics about unclaimed property. Learn what types get reported, how long claims take, and whether there are fees. Read the FAQ before calling so you understand the basics.
Colorado participates in MissingMoney.com, which searches multiple states at once. Use this tool if you have lived outside Summit County or outside Colorado.
Note: Never pay anyone to help you file a claim for unclaimed money in Summit County.