Unclaimed Bank Accounts in Colorado: Why It Happens and How to Claim Your Money

Unclaimed bank accounts sound complicated, but the basic idea is simple: money that belongs to you (or a family member) may be sitting with the State of Colorado because the bank could not reach you.

This guide explains how unclaimed bank accounts typically work in Colorado, why accounts become “abandoned,” and the usual steps to search for and claim funds through official state channels.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only. It is not a government office, not an official portal, and cannot hold or release unclaimed property. This article is meant to help you understand the process so you can work directly with the correct Colorado agencies.

What Is an Unclaimed Bank Account in Colorado?

In most states, including Colorado, unclaimed property laws require financial institutions to turn over money they cannot connect to the rightful owner after a certain period of inactivity.

For bank accounts, this can include:

• Checking and savings accounts
• Certificates of deposit (CDs)
• Money market accounts
• Cashier’s checks or bank money orders
• Safe deposit box contents (after a process and possible sale of items)

When an account is inactive for a set time and the bank cannot contact the owner, the funds are typically turned over to the state’s unclaimed property program, often managed by the Colorado State Treasurer’s Office or a similar division.

From there, the state holds the money until someone with a legal right to it files a claim.

How Bank Accounts Become “Unclaimed” or “Abandoned”

In Colorado, money usually becomes “unclaimed” because:

• The account had no activity for several years (for example, no deposits, withdrawals, or customer-initiated contact).
• Mail from the bank is returned as undeliverable.
• The account owner moved, changed names, or passed away, and the bank never received updated information.
• The owner forgot about the account (common with old student accounts, closed businesses, or accounts opened for children).
• A CD or similar product matured, but the owner never responded and the bank lost contact.

Once an account meets Colorado’s “dormancy period” rules (the inactivity period defined by state law), the bank is generally required to:

1. Try to contact the owner using the last known address or contact details.
2. If the owner cannot be reached, transfer the funds to the state’s unclaimed property program.

Your money does not disappear. It usually changes who is holding it: from the bank to the State of Colorado.

Who Can Claim Unclaimed Bank Account Money in Colorado?

Typically, someone can claim unclaimed funds if they are:

• The original account holder
• A joint account holder
• A legal heir (spouse, child, or other heir, depending on Colorado inheritance rules)
• A personal representative, executor, or administrator of an estate
• A business owner or authorized representative of a company that once held the account

To be approved, you usually must:

• Prove your identity
• Prove your connection to the account owner or business
• Show your legal authority, if you are claiming on behalf of someone else (like a deceased relative or a company)

How to Search for Unclaimed Bank Accounts in Colorado

HowToGetAssistance.org cannot check for you, but you can usually search through an official unclaimed property website or database run by the State of Colorado.

Common steps:

1. Find the official Colorado unclaimed property website.

   • Look for a site run by the Colorado State Treasurer or a similar state department.
   • Check that the web address ends in “.gov”, which signals a government site.

2. Search by name.
   You can usually search using:

   • First and last name
   • Business name
   • Sometimes a former name or maiden name
   • Sometimes a city or ZIP code to narrow results

3. Review the results.
   Many people see:

   • Multiple listings with similar names
   • Old addresses where they lived years before
   • Property types labeled as something like “bank account,” “checking,” “savings,” or “deposit”

4. Select entries that appear to be yours.
   Choose records where:

   • The name matches you or a family member
   • The address looks familiar
   • The business name matches a company you owned or managed

5. Start a claim through the official Colorado system.
   The site will normally guide you to submit a claim form online or print and mail forms, depending on the type of claim.

If you are unsure about the website or need help searching, you can usually call Colorado’s unclaimed property office using the phone number listed on the official state site or contact the Colorado State Treasurer’s Office directly to confirm you are using the correct portal.

What Documents You May Need to Claim an Unclaimed Bank Account

Colorado’s exact requirements can vary depending on the type of claim (individual, joint owner, estate, business, etc.), but common documents include:

For Individuals Claiming Their Own Money

You may be asked for:

• Government-issued photo ID
  • Colorado driver’s license
  • State ID card
  • Passport
• Proof of Social Security number
  • Social Security card
  • Tax document showing your SSN
• Proof of current address
  • Utility bill
  • Lease or mortgage statement
• Proof of connection to the old address, if needed
  • Prior utility bills, bank statements, pay stubs, or tax records showing your name and the old address
• Bank records, if you have them
  • Old statements
  • Deposit slips
  • Account numbers

For Heirs or Estate Representatives

If the account owner has passed away, you may also need:

• Death certificate of the account owner
• Proof of relationship (for example, birth certificate, marriage certificate)
• Estate documents, such as:
  • Letters testamentary or letters of administration
  • Court appointment as personal representative or executor
  • Small estate affidavit, if allowed under Colorado law

For Businesses

A business claim may require:

• Business registration documents
  • Articles of incorporation or organization
  • Trade name registration
• Proof of authority
  • Documentation showing you are an owner, officer, or authorized representative
• Tax ID number (EIN)
• Proof of former business address, if different from current

Quick Reference: Common Claim Types and Documents

*Exact requirements can vary. The official Colorado unclaimed property office decides what is needed for each claim.

How to Submit a Claim for Unclaimed Bank Accounts in Colorado

Once you have identified unclaimed property that appears to be yours, the typical process looks like this:

1. Start the claim on the official Colorado unclaimed property site.

   • You usually select the property and choose “File a Claim” or similar.
   • You may create an account or provide your contact information.

2. Complete the claim form.
   You will likely be asked to provide:

   • Your full legal name
   • Current mailing address and phone number
   • Email address (if the system uses email notifications)
   • Information confirming your connection to the property (former address, business name, etc.)

3. Upload or mail supporting documents.
   Depending on the system:

   • You might upload scanned copies or clear photos.
   • You might be instructed to print, sign, and mail forms with copies of your documents.
   • Some claims, especially more complex ones, may require notarized signatures.

4. Wait for review by the Colorado unclaimed property office.

   • Staff will review your claim and documents.
   • They may request additional information if anything is unclear.

5. Receive the payment if approved.

   • If your claim is approved, the state usually issues a check mailed to the address you provided, or in some situations another approved payment method.
   • Timeframes can vary, depending on the volume of claims and how complex your case is.

Remember: you are not applying or submitting anything through HowToGetAssistance.org. All official claims must go through Colorado’s official unclaimed property channels.

How Long Does It Take to Get Unclaimed Money in Colorado?

Processing times vary. Factors that can affect timing include:

• How complete your initial claim is
  • Missing documents almost always slow things down.
• Type of claim
  • Simple individual claims may be faster.
  • Estate and business claims often take longer due to extra verification.
• Current workload at the state unclaimed property office

Many people see resolutions within a few weeks to a few months, but Colorado’s official office is the only source that can describe typical wait times at any given moment.

Common Reasons Claims Are Delayed or Denied

Understanding common issues can help you avoid problems:

• Name mismatches
  • Example: Your legal name now is different from the name on the old account, and you did not include proof of a name change.
• Insufficient proof of address or ownership
  • You may need to show that you lived at the address on file or owned the business.
• Missing estate paperwork
  • If you are claiming on behalf of a deceased relative without proper legal documents, the claim may be put on hold.
• Unreadable or incomplete documents
  • Blurry photos, cut-off pages, or missing signatures can cause delays.
• Wrong type of claim selected
  • For example, filing as an individual when the property should be claimed through an estate.

If your claim is delayed or denied, the Colorado office usually explains what is missing or why it could not be processed. You may be able to submit additional documents or file a new claim with the correct information.

Can You Appeal a Decision?

If the state denies your claim and you believe you have a right to the money, you usually have options:

• Contact the unclaimed property office directly.
  • Ask for a clear explanation of what is needed to approve the claim.
• Provide additional documentation.
  • Name change records, more detailed estate papers, or clearer proof of address are common fixes.
• Ask about formal review or appeal procedures.
  • Some states have a written or administrative review process.

For complex estates or disputed claims, some people choose to consult an attorney familiar with Colorado probate and property law. That choice is personal and separate from the state’s claim process.

Tips to Avoid Unclaimed Bank Accounts in the Future

Once you find and claim any missing funds, you might want to take steps to prevent future accounts from becoming unclaimed:

• Keep your contact information updated with every bank or credit union.
• Use each account periodically (even a small transaction can reset inactivity timers).
• Enroll in online banking where you regularly log in and check your balance.
• Notify banks when you move or change your name.
• Share basic account information with a trusted person or keep a secure list of financial institutions your family should know about.
• Review the Colorado unclaimed property site every few years, especially after major life changes (moves, marriages, divorces, business closures, or deaths in the family).

How to Make Sure You Are Using Official Colorado Channels (Scam-Avoidance Tips)

Because unclaimed property involves money, scams do exist. Some companies are legitimate “finder” services, while others are misleading or fraudulent. To protect yourself:

• Check for a .gov website.
  The official Colorado unclaimed property site should be part of a .gov domain, indicating a government website.
• Be cautious with unsolicited contacts.
  • If someone calls, emails, or mails you saying they can get your “unclaimed money” for a fee, verify independently.
  • Contact the Colorado State Treasurer’s Office or the unclaimed property division using contact details you find yourself on a known official site.
• Know that you can claim directly yourself.
  • Most people can claim unclaimed property for free through the official state process.
• Avoid sharing sensitive data on unknown sites.
  • Never enter your Social Security number or banking details on any site that is not clearly official.
• Ask questions before signing agreements.
  • Some “locator” services are legal but may charge a percentage of your property value.
  • Colorado may limit how much these services can charge and how they must operate.

If you are unsure whether a site or caller is legitimate, you can:

• Call the general information line for the State of Colorado and ask to be transferred to unclaimed property.
• Contact your bank or credit union to verify if they previously turned over funds to the state.

Alternatives and Related Help If You Don’t Find Unclaimed Funds

If you search and do not find any unclaimed bank accounts in your name:

• Try variations of your name.
  • Nicknames
  • Former names or maiden names
  • Business names you used
• Check under former addresses or cities.

Even if you find nothing, there are other financial and support resources in Colorado:

• General financial assistance:
  • You can contact local county human services departments to ask about cash assistance, food assistance, and other support programs.
• Help with bills or emergencies:
  • Many people dial 211 to reach a community information line that can connect them with local nonprofits and service agencies.
• Legal or financial counseling:
  • Nonprofit credit counseling services or legal aid organizations may offer guidance on broader financial issues.

These resources are separate from unclaimed property, but they can be useful if you were hoping unclaimed funds would solve an immediate need and did not find any.

By understanding how unclaimed bank accounts work in Colorado and learning how to use the official state unclaimed property system, you can check for forgotten funds, gather the right documents, and take the next steps directly with the Colorado agencies that manage and release this money.