Lawmakers raid Coloradan’s unclaimed money taking $75 million to fix the budget (Opinion)
- Posted on July 29, 2026
- By The Denver Post
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- 1 min read
In brief
Colorado's legislature redirected $75 million from the unclaimed property trust fund to address budget shortfalls, raising concerns about fiscal sustainability. While the state commendably maintains the Great Colorado Payback program to reunite citizens with forgotten assets, diverting these funds reveals problematic structural incentives. This practice creates tension between immediate budgetary needs and long-term stewardship of citizen finances, highlighting the need for reformed policies that protect unclaimed money reserves.
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Lawmakers raid Coloradan’s unclaimed money taking $75 million to fix the budget (Opinion)
The state deserves credit for returning money through the annual Great Colorado Payback. But moving $75 million out of the trust fund exposes the system’s backward incentives.
