Great Colorado Payback Returns $100 Million to Claimants, Shattering Fiscal Year Record

Colorado State Treasury Sending Out $5 Million in Proactive Checks

April 16, 2026 (Denver) -Colorado State Treasurer Dave Young announced that the Great Colorado Payback has returned $100 million to claimants with two months remaining in the fiscal year, shattering the $80 million record set in FY 24-25.

"Returning $100 million is a historic victory for the Treasury and the State," said Treasurer Young. "This achievement is only possible with the dedication and relentless work of our staff, who have blown past all previous records. Every dollar returned makes a difference, and we are not stopping here-we are actively mailing out $5 million in checks to Coloradans right now. This milestone is proof that state government can be efficient, effective, and fully committed to serving the people of Colorado."

The Great Colorado Payback has resolved 60,000 claims since July 1, 2025, on pace with last year's results. Bianca Gardelli, the director of the Unclaimed Property Division, attributes much of the team's success to new outreach strategies.

"Our mission is simple: reunite owners with their funds as quickly as possible," said Gardelli. "We're constantly finding new ways to reach claimants and make the claims process faster and easier. I am so proud of our team's work and look forward to celebrating $1 billion in total funds returned since the program's founding."

The record caps off years of steady progress under Treasurer Young's leadership. Thanks to technology upgrades and legislative improvements, the program has consistently returned more money to claimants. The Great Colorado Payback has given back $441 million since 2020 and nearly $900 million since the program began in 1987.

Treasury Mailing $5 million in Unclaimed Property Checks

In addition to the $100 million milestone, Treasurer Young announced that the Colorado State Treasury is mailing $5 million in unclaimed property checks to Colorado residents.

More than 6,000 claims have been preapproved for payment due to streamlined verification processes. Eligible claimants in Colorado will receive checks in the coming days and can cash them immediately without additional documentation.

Every year, companies transfer millions in assets to the Colorado Department of the Treasury when they cannot locate the original owners, including individuals, companies, nonprofit organizations, schools, and other entities. The Great Colorado Payback currently holds about $2.3 billion in unclaimed property owed to more than 17 million individuals and entities.

An estimated one in ten Coloradans has unclaimed property with the state. To search for missing money, visit unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov.

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About the Colorado Department of the Treasury

The Colorado Department of the Treasury is the constitutional guardian of the public's funds. It is the Treasury's duty to manage and account for the taxpayers' dollars from the time they are received until the time they are disbursed. The Treasury's staff is committed to safeguarding and managing the people's monies with the same diligence and care as they do their own. For more information, visit colorado.gov/treasury.

About the Great Colorado Payback

The Great Colorado Payback is responsible for reuniting Coloradans with lost or forgotten assets. As the state's unclaimed property division, the Great Colorado Payback maintains a list of over 17 million names of individuals, businesses, and organizations for whom property is owed. Check for lost property at unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov.