Protecting Colorado Seniors from Government Impersonation Scams
Government impersonation scams are surging nationwide, and Colorado seniors are not immune. In 2025, 208 older adults in Colorado reported government impersonation fraud to the FBI. Scammers pose as officials from the IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, or law enforcement to frighten seniors into sending money or revealing personal information.
Why Colorado Seniors Are Targeted
Colorado’s population and culture create specific vulnerabilities that government impersonation scammers exploit:
- Wealthy retiree population: Colorado’s desirable retirement communities attract affluent seniors, making them prime targets for investment scams
- Mountain isolation: Seniors living in mountain towns and rural western Colorado face limited access to in-person services and tech support
- Rapid population growth: Colorado’s senior population is among the fastest-growing in the nation, outpacing fraud prevention resources
- Military and veterans: Colorado’s large military presence includes many retirees targeted by scammers impersonating VA and military benefits offices
- Active lifestyle assumptions: Colorado’s active, outdoors-oriented culture can create a false sense of security — seniors may feel “too savvy” to be scammed
5-Year Trend: Government Impersonation Scam Losses in Colorado (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 68 | $773K | — |
| 2022 | 80 | $1.3M | +69% |
| 2023 | 63 | $1.2M | -11% |
| 2024 | 185 | $4.4M | +283% |
| 2025 | 208 | $7.4M | +67% |
| 5-Year Total | 604 | $15.1M | +861% |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021–2025. Victims and losses for Colorado residents aged 60 and older.
Colorado ranks #17 nationally in government impersonation scam losses targeting seniors, with $7.4 million lost in 2025 across 208 reported victims. That represents 1.7% of all U.S. government impersonation scam losses against older adults. Year over year, losses changed +67%, outperforming the national average of +95%. Over the full five-year period, government impersonation scam losses in Colorado grew +861%.
Complete guide: For detailed warning signs, protection strategies, and what to do if you’ve been targeted, read our comprehensive Government Impersonation Scam Prevention Guide. You can also take our free Online Training courses to test your knowledge.
Report Government Impersonation Scams in Colorado
- Office of the Colorado Attorney General: (720) 508-6000 | coag.gov
- Social Security OIG: oig.ssa.gov
- IRS: irs.gov/report-phishing
- FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
- Colorado Adult Protective Services: (844) 643-3663
Free Training Available
Take our free online course to learn more about protecting yourself from government impersonation scams:
→ Start Government Impersonation Scam Awareness Training (Module 5)