Thousands of Schools Across the State Have Money Waiting to be Claimed through the Great Colorado Payback
Aug. 12, 2025 (DENVER) — As the new school year begins, the Colorado Department of the Treasury is encouraging Coloradans to check for unclaimed property–not just for themselves, but for their schools. More than 4,000 public schools, districts, and educational organizations across the state have unclaimed funds waiting to be returned through the Great Colorado Payback.
“As a former middle school teacher, I know firsthand the impact schools have on students, families, and communities,” said Colorado State Treasurer Dave Young. “We want to get this money back to Colorado schools where the additional funding can make a difference.”
From large districts like Denver Public Schools and Aurora Public Schools, to smaller rural districts, high schools, and preschools, the Great Colorado Payback has identified more than $1 million in unclaimed assets for education-related entities.
School districts with property waiting to be claimed include:
- Aurora Public Schools - $19,351
- Colorado Springs School District - $12,968
- Littleton Public Schools - $10,675
- East Otero School District R-1 - $9,850
- Douglas County School District - $9,807
These unclaimed funds can include old checks, refunds, unused rebates, or dormant accounts. The State Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Division safeguards the property until it’s claimed by the rightful owner, whether that is an individual, business, or school.
Check, Share, Claim
To raise awareness, the Great Colorado Payback is calling on Coloradans to look up not just their names, but also the names of their hometown schools or school districts.
Visit GreatCOPayback.com and enter the school or district name. If there’s a match, reach out and encourage the organization to start a claim! The Unclaimed Property Division is ready to work directly with schools and districts to verify and process claims quickly.
Together, Coloradans can help schools recover resources that are rightfully theirs. These dollars could support programs, student services, or help purchase supplies.
Searching for unclaimed property is free, fast, and secure. The Unclaimed Property Division updates its database regularly as new property is reported, so it pays to check back every year.
For more information, visit GreatCOPayback.com.
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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.