More Coloradans step up for unclaimed property

DENVER - Colorado's cache of unclaimed property - money and valuables that people have long forgotten or that simply bypassed them - has become a popular hunting place in these tough economic times.

The number of people inquiring about unclaimed property is up more than 30 percent from July to Friday compared with the same period last year.

Already, 9,000 people and businesses have collected about $8 million. That projects to about the same amount paid out as last year - $25.5 million - and to 27,000 people collecting, roughly a third more than last year.

With better than $500 million in cash and belongings left behind by owners, the state is a virtual lost-and-found trove, a lot of it made up of small amounts of money.

Until recently, it's usually been too small - 10 bucks here or $100 there - for anyone to be bothered, according to those who oversee the funds.

"Many times, folks just didn't think it was worth the hassle to collect it," said Patty White, director of Colorado's unclaimed property fund at the state treasurer's office.

That's changed, White said. "They're claiming all amounts now, no matter what."

That's evident in the payouts. The smallest amount someone has bothered to collect: 63 cents.

To continue reading David Migoya's story visit the Denver Post's site. You can also find out how to search the state-run lost and found online.