State Treasurer Urges Veterans to Check for Unclaimed Military Medals

The Colorado State Treasurer’s office released a public reminder on November 14, 2025 asking veterans, family members, and heirs to review state records for unclaimed military decorations and service items. The notice, issued as part of Veterans Day outreach, highlights state holdings or records that may include Purple Hearts, Bronze Stars, and similar decorations that have not been claimed.

The announcement, reported by the Chronicle News, directs Coloradans to search state accounts and follow established procedures to reclaim items. The local preview noted that the Treasurer’s office is publicizing the process and providing contact information and next steps for residents who believe they may have unclaimed medals or service items. The full Chronicle News item is available behind a site login.

For Las Animas County residents the notice carries practical importance. Veterans families who have lost track of a loved one’s service items after a death, move, or estate settlement may find those decorations recorded with state agencies. Returning medals and service items to families is both a matter of personal closure and public accountability. The Treasurer’s role in maintaining and publicizing records underscores the intersection of state administrative duties and community trust.

The Treasurer’s outreach also touches on institutional transparency. State treasuries and unclaimed property divisions are responsible for safeguarding items and assets that cannot immediately be matched to rightful owners. When outreach is timed around observances such as Veterans Day it increases public awareness, but it also raises questions about how records are maintained and how routinely information is shared with county and municipal partners who work directly with veterans and their families.

Locally, veterans service officers, county clerks, and probate officials can play a role in helping residents search records and assemble the documentation needed to establish entitlement. Residents seeking assistance should start with the Colorado State Treasurer’s office and the county veterans service office to identify the correct records and verify claim procedures. Many claims require proof of service and proof of relationship for heirs, so assembling military records and estate documents will speed the process.

This reminder is a prompt for civic engagement as much as a service announcement. By reviewing public records, updating contact information, and coordinating with county offices, Las Animas County residents can help ensure that military decorations and service items are returned to families and preserved with the respect they deserve.