FAQs

The Public Trustee is responsible for processing foreclosures and releasing deeds of trust.

Release Deed of Trust - Office Policy

Why do I have to pay a fee for the Public Trustee to approve ? I pay property taxes.

The Public Trustee's office is funded with user fees.  This office is not financed with tax money.

If mailing in the Release Deed of Trust, why do I need to include a self-stamped addressed envelope?

So the documents that was originally mailed will be returned to the proper person and location.  The Public Trustee's office does not have the funds to mail back the Release Deed of Trust.

I have not received the recorded Release Deed of Trust?

Please contact the Summit County Clerk and Recorder's Office at clerk@summitcountyco.gov or call 970-453-3470.to make sure the Release Deed of Trust has been received from the Public Trustee's office.



Foreclosures

I received a Notice of Election and Demand (NED) stating my property is in foreclosure.  What can I do?

The NED is a document recorded to start the foreclosure process.  The recording date of this document governs the statutes that the foreclosure will follow.  For counseling call the foreclosure hotline at (877) 601-4673. Our office can answer procedure questions but will not give legal or lending advice.

How can I find out if a property is in foreclosure?

Visit our Foreclosure Property Search and enter the property address or the Foreclosure Sale Number.

I am interested in a foreclosure property. Can I look at it?

We do not show properties and potential bidders may not force the homeowner to let them see the property.

When are the foreclosure sales?

The Summit County Public Trustee Office schedules foreclosure sales once a week on Friday's at 10:00 am online at https://summit.realforeclose.com/

What type of payment is required at a foreclosure sale?

We must have full payment in the form of a wire transfer at the conclusion of the auction. These amounts are not public record. If property is obtained for less than received amount, a refund check or excess wire amount is issued/returned the same day.

What type of information is needed at the foreclosure sale?

The name, address and contact information of the name to be used on the certificate of purchase for the successful bidder.

What is the Colorado Open Records Act Fee Policy?

In order to pay for the cost of staff, custodians of public records. Summit County may charge for research and retrieval time necessary to respond to requests for records under the Colorado Open Records Act ("CORA"). Staff time may be charged at a rate not to exceed $33.58 per hour. There shall be no charge for the first hour of time for research and retrieval of records.