# Unclaimed Oil and Gas Royalties in Colorado > How to find and claim unclaimed oil and gas royalties in Colorado: the official search site, dormancy period, claim proof, heir rules and fees. - URL: https://www.buckheadenergy.com/unclaimed-mineral-royalties/colorado - Last updated: 2026-11-02 - Publisher: Buckhead Energy (https://www.buckheadenergy.com/) - Format: full-content Markdown twin of the page (same content as the HTML; site navigation and footer removed) Breadcrumb: [Home](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/) › [Unclaimed Mineral Royalties](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/unclaimed-mineral-royalties) › Colorado Quick answer Unclaimed oil and gas royalties in Colorado are held by the Colorado Department of the Treasury — Unclaimed Property Division (Great Colorado Payback); search its official site, unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov, under every name the royalties may have been paid to. Colorado presumes unpaid property abandoned after 3 years (C.R.S. § 38-13-201(1)(m) (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, 'all other property')), and the holder must then report it to the state. [Search unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov](https://unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov/app/claim-search) ## Where to search in Colorado Colorado's program, the Great Colorado Payback, is run by the State Treasurer. Owners search and start claims on the Treasury's unclaimed property site, and there is no time limit to file a claim. Source: [Colorado Department of the Treasury — Unclaimed Property Division (Great Colorado Payback) (unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov)](https://unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov/app/claim-search) ## When unpaid royalties are presumed abandoned Colorado's statute has no separate dormancy period for mineral proceeds. Mineral proceeds are a defined term in the Act but are not listed among the specific property types, so the general 'all other property' period of three years applies. **Dormancy period:** 3 years **Statute:** C.R.S. § 38-13-201(1)(m) (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, 'all other property') **Mineral-specific rule:** No (general period) Source: [C.R.S. § 38-13-201(1)(m) (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, 'all other property')](https://olls.info/crs/crs2026-title-38.pdf) ## How operators report unclaimed royalties Colorado holder reports are due before November 1 each year and cover the twelve months before July 1; insurance companies file before May 1. No separate oil-and-gas deadline was found. **Report due:** Before November 1 (insurance companies: before May 1) **Covers property held as of:** Covers the twelve months preceding July 1 Source: [Official source](https://olls.info/crs/crs2026-title-38.pdf) ## How to claim and what proof you need Owners search the Treasury's site; on a match, the office sends a claim form listing the documents required. The Treasury requires proof of ownership or heirship, proof of identification and a notarized signature from the owner or heir. **How to file:** Search online and begin a claim; if the search matches, the office sends a claim form that lists the documents required. **Proof required:** Proof of ownership or heirship, proof of identification, and a notarized signature from the owner or heir; documents vary by claim type. Source: [Official claim instructions](https://unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov/app/faq-claim) ## Claiming for a deceased owner The Treasury requires heirs to document heirship along with proof of identification and a notarized signature. **Documents:** Documentation of ownership or heirship, proof of identification and a notarized signature. Whether an estate must be opened is a legal question for a qualified attorney in that state. Source: [Official source](https://unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov/app/finder-info) ## Fees and finder services Claiming directly through the State Treasurer is free. Finder fees are capped at 10%, finder agreements are unenforceable for the first 24 months after the property reaches the Treasury, and a finder fee paid in a share of underlying minerals or not-yet-abandoned mineral proceeds is void. **State claim fee:** None **Finder-fee limit:** 10% of the property; locator agreements unenforceable within 24 months after the property is delivered to the Treasurer; agreement must state the owner can claim directly from the Treasurer without a fee; any fee taken from mineral proceeds or underlying minerals not yet presumed abandoned is void **Finder-fee statute:** C.R.S. §§ 38-13-1301, 38-13-1302; 8 CCR 1508-1, Rule 1.5.11 Source: [Official source](https://unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov/app/finder-info) ## Frequently asked questions ### Where do I search for unclaimed oil and gas royalties in Colorado? Colorado's program, the Great Colorado Payback, is run by the State Treasurer. Owners search and start claims on the Treasury's unclaimed property site, and there is no time limit to file a claim. Search under every name the royalties may have been paid to, including maiden names and deceased relatives. ### How long before unpaid royalties are reported to the state in Colorado? Colorado's statute has no separate dormancy period for mineral proceeds. Mineral proceeds are a defined term in the Act but are not listed among the specific property types, so the general 'all other property' period of three years applies. ### What do I need to claim unclaimed royalties in Colorado? Owners search the Treasury's site; on a match, the office sends a claim form listing the documents required. The Treasury requires proof of ownership or heirship, proof of identification and a notarized signature from the owner or heir. ### Can I claim a deceased relative's royalties in Colorado? The Treasury requires heirs to document heirship along with proof of identification and a notarized signature. This is general information, not legal advice. ### Does it cost anything to claim unclaimed royalties in Colorado? Claiming directly through the State Treasurer is free. Finder fees are capped at 10%, finder agreements are unenforceable for the first 24 months after the property reaches the Treasury, and a finder fee paid in a share of underlying minerals or not-yet-abandoned mineral proceeds is void. Educational information only, not legal or tax advice; consult a qualified attorney about your situation. Facts are from the state's unclaimed-property office and the state code, checked Nov 2, 2026. Related: [unclaimed royalties in every state](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/unclaimed-mineral-royalties) · [suspended royalties](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/suspended-royalties-guide) · [find your payor](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/find-your-payor) ## About Buckhead Energy Buckhead Energy is a direct buyer, not a broker — we purchase mineral and royalty interests with our own capital. Buckhead Energy buys mineral and royalty interests across all 50 states and has completed acquisitions in 33 states. Buckhead Energy has been buying mineral and royalty interests since 2006. Buckhead Energy holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Buckhead provides a free written offer. Buckhead Energy typically provides an offer within 24–48 hours. Closings typically take 30–45 days, subject to title review and clearance. Buckhead Energy's written offers stay open for 14 days. **Sell mineral rights:** https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell **Operator directory:** https://www.buckheadenergy.com/operators