You can claim it yourself, for free

Checklist: Colorado, money left over after a foreclosure sale

Who holds it: The county public trustee (out-of-court foreclosures). In sheriff (court) sales, proceeds go into the court registry.

How long: 6 months from the sale. Then $25 or more goes to the State Treasurer's unclaimed property program (Great Colorado Payback), and less than $25 to the county.

How you claim: Contact the public trustee of the county where the home was sold and submit its claim form. Money left after the lender and qualifying junior lienholders goes to the borrower.

Your deadline: ____________ (confirm it with the clerk)

Steps

1. Watch for the public trustee's notice, mailed within 30 days after redemption periods end (for $25 or more).
2. Get the public trustee's claim form (for example, Denver posts one).
3. Submit it within 6 months of the sale.
4. After 6 months, claim through the Great Colorado Payback instead.

Documents

• Public trustee claim form and the documents it lists

What it costs you

Denver says no one may charge a fee to help collect during the 6-month hold; paid recovery agreements are unenforceable

If someone offers to do it for you

• There may be a fee limit: ask the clerk.
• There is a waiting period of 915 days: ask the clerk what it covers and when it starts.
• Any deal must be in writing.
• You never need to pay anyone to file.

Official links

• Denver Public Trustee - Did your house sell?: https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Denver-Clerk-and-Recorder/Recording-Division/Denver-Public-Trustee/did-your-house-sell