DENVER -- State Treasurer Mike Coffman has announced the launch of his annual campaign to reunite thousands of Coloradans with their lost or forgotten property. Nearly 40,000 individuals and businesses in Colorado-and more than $23 million in assets-were added to the state's unclaimed property rolls in the past year.

"In these difficult economic times, Colorado families need every penny to make ends meet," said Coffman. "It's great in government to be in the position returning money to people."

The Great Colorado Payback, Colorado's unclaimed property program, seeks to reunite lost or forgotten property with its rightful owners or their heirs. Under state law, businesses and other financial institutions must turn over abandoned or unclaimed property to the state treasury. Unclaimed property forwarded to the state includes stocks, bonds, savings accounts, jewelry, antiques and collectibles such as old newspapers and rare coin collections.

This year's additions bring the total amount of unclaimed property held by the state to more than $190 million, belonging to more than one million Coloradans.

In 2002, Treasurer Coffman returned a record $7.7 million to 24,000 individuals and businesses. Since the program's inception in 1987, the Great Colorado Payback has returned more than $107 million to over 220,000 claimants. Coffman said residents have a much greater chance of getting money from the Great Colorado Payback than winning the lottery.

Individuals can check these lists for their names and may also submit inquiries on the Great Colorado Payback website at www.treasurer.state.co.us. Owners can also call the Payback office at (303) 894-2443 or toll free at 1-800-825-2111; or write to the Payback office at 1120 Lincoln St., Suite 1004, Denver, CO 80203. There is no charge for this service and there is no time limit to file a claim.