Great Colorado Payback wants to give back $2 billion in unclaimed property

The Great Colorado Payback, part of the Colorado Department of the Treasury, is committed to returning $2 billion in unclaimed property to its rightful owners. To promote awareness ahead of National Unclaimed Property Day on February 1, 2025, they hosted an open house showcasing intriguing items from the State Treasurer's vault, including rare jewelry, gold and silver bars, and collectible watches.

During the event, Colorado State Treasurer Dave Young, alongside Gov. Jared Polis, announced February 1 as Unclaimed Property Day in Colorado. Currently, approximately 7.5 million residents are sitting on unclaimed property valued at $2 billion, highlighting the immense scope of this initiative.

Young emphasized the dedication of his team in managing unclaimed property. He noted, "We have a fabulous team here that handles unclaimed property, the Great Colorado Payback... all of this is held onto forever. We don't allow it to go out the door unless it's going to the proper owner."

In the previous year alone, the Great Colorado Payback successfully returned nearly $78 million in unclaimed property through 75,000 claims, demonstrating the program's effectiveness and reach.

Residents who believe they may have unclaimed property are encouraged to visit the Great Colorado Payback website to check their eligibility and potentially reclaim what is rightfully theirs.