Found an item? Your responsibilities

What to do when you find someone else's property — your responsibilities and how to return it safely.

Found something in Colorado Springs? Handling it responsibly protects both you and the owner. Rules vary by location, but the principles are consistent.

Make a reasonable effort to find the owner. Check for ID, contact details, or anything that identifies who it belongs to.
Don't assume it's yours to keep. Keeping found property without trying to return it can have legal consequences. When in doubt, hand it in.
Hand valuables to the authorities. Report significant or high-value finds to the police non-emergency line for Colorado Springs; they'll log it and may issue a reference.
Store it safely. Keep the item secure and unchanged while you try to return it.
Post a found listing. Add a found-item listing for Colorado Springs with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Colorado Springs

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Colorado Springs

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FOUND Canines in Colorado Springs near Garden of the Gods

I was out for a late-evening stroll at about 6:15 p.m. on Friday, June 2, near the Garden of the Gods entrance in Colorado Springs when I spotted two canines wandering together, clearly belonging to someone else. One wore a light-blue collar with a tiny tag; the other had a red bandana and stuck close to its companion. I spoke softly, kept them calm on the grass by the parking lot, and waited with them until a park ranger could help, feeling a mix of relief and concern. I am hoping the rightful owners see this listing and know their pups are safe with me for the moment.

Garden of the Gods Visitor Center, Colorado Springs 7 days ago

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Found handheld and console near Memorial Park

I was cleaning up after a hike at Memorial Park around 6:30 PM last Sunday when I found a handheld device and a game console lying under a bench near the park entrance. The handheld looked like a newer model with a cracked screen, the console's case had a few scratches, and both smelled faintly of pine and rain. They looked used but cared for, and I imagined someone missing their weekend gaming buddy. I held onto them and checked nearby benches and the trailheads but didn't see anyone looking around. I hope the owner sees this and can claim them soon; it would be a relief to reunite someone with their little piece of downtime.

Memorial Park, near the main gate about 2 months ago

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Found Work Cases in Colorado Springs

I found a set of work cases on a bench outside the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum this morning around 8:20 a.m., along Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado. The cases are black leather with a few scuffs, and a tag inside reads ACME Consulting; a laptop bag strap is peeking out. I didn’t see any documents, but I figured someone would be looking for them soon, so I kept them safe near the museum entrance. If you’re the owner, please check the site so we can get these back to you.

Outside the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, Tejon St, downtown Colorado Springs 2 months ago

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Found ring near Bear Creek Park playground

Found ring near Bear Creek Park playground. Please provide details to prove ownership!

Colorado Springs 4 months ago

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Brass pocket compass in leather sleeve

Found a small brass pocket compass with a dark brown leather sleeve this afternoon around 4:15 pm in the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center parking lot on Gateway Road, Colorado Springs. It's about 2 inches across, with a bit of tarnish and a couple of tiny nicks along the rim. The leather sleeve is worn but still secure, and there's a back engraving of the initials 'P.K.' plus a tiny heart-shaped scratch on the front that's pretty distinctive. The compass still ticks when you move it, like it was recently used. If this belongs to someone, I’d be happy to arrange a safe pickup here in Colorado Springs.

Colorado Springs 4 months ago

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Found gray hamster with blue collar

I found a tiny gray hamster with a blue collar wandering under a parked cart near the Target on Academy Boulevard in Colorado Springs this afternoon around 3:15. The little guy is grape-sized, with soft gray fur and a white belly, plus a blue collar with a tiny silver bell and a crescent-shaped white patch behind his left ear. He seemed a bit skittish at first, but settled in a spare hamster cage I keep for pet-sitting, nibbling a cucumber slice I offered. If this is your hamster, please reply here so we can arrange a safe meetup near Garden of the Gods Visitor Center or another convenient spot in Colorado Springs.

Colorado Springs 4 months ago