Colorado residents are fighting back harder than ever. The state Attorney General’s office received just under 27,000 consumer complaints in 2025, a 10% jump from 2024 and more than triple the number from just six years ago. The surge shows no signs of slowing down, and artificial intelligence is making the problem worse.
Attorney General Phil Weiser released the annual Consumer Protection Report this week, warning that scammers are now using AI tools to create convincing deepfake voices, fake videos, and personalized phishing attacks that fool even careful people.
Retail Sales, Real Estate, and Debt Collectors Top the List
Retail complaints led the pack again in 2025. Shoppers reported everything from misleading online ads and “buy now, pay later” traps to products that never arrived.
Real estate and landlord-tenant issues came in second. Many renters said landlords kept security deposits without reason or failed to make repairs. Home buyers also reported problems with title companies and mortgage lenders hiding fees.
Debt collection scams rounded out the top three. Aggressive callers pretended to be from legitimate agencies and threatened arrests or wage garnishment. Some used AI-generated voices that sounded exactly like real court officials or bank representatives.
“Scammers are getting smarter every year,” Weiser said during a press conference in Denver. “They study your social media, clone voices of people you trust, and create emergencies that feel real.”
AI-Powered Scams Are Exploding Across Colorado
The numbers tell a frightening story. Complaints about imposter scams, many now using artificial intelligence, have skyrocketed.
Grandparents in Colorado Springs received calls from “grandchildren” crying for help after a supposed car accident. The voices were perfect matches created with just a few seconds of audio stolen from TikTok or Instagram.
Homeowners got fake videos of their “bank manager” warning that their mortgage was in foreclosure unless they paid immediately through a specific app.
The Consumer Protection team said AI has made it possible for scammers to target thousands of people at once with personalized messages that look and sound legitimate.
Half a Billion Dollars Returned to Coloradans
There is good news amid the surge. Since Weiser took office in 2019, the Department of Law has recovered more than $500 million in refunds, debt forgiveness, and canceled fraudulent charges for Colorado residents.
Major wins in 2025 included:
- $18 million returned from a national retailer that charged hidden fees
- $12 million in debt relief from predatory student loan companies
- $9 million from timeshare exit scams that targeted seniors
- Thousands of individual refunds for everything from gym memberships to fake car warranties
Every single complaint filed helps the state spot patterns and stop scams before they spread further.
Why Your Complaint Matters More Than Ever
State officials stress that filing a complaint is the single best way to protect yourself and your neighbors.
Each report becomes part of a statewide database that investigators use to track new schemes. When enough people report the same company or tactic, the Attorney General’s office can open an investigation, demand records, and force bad actors to pay refunds.
“It only takes five minutes to file online,” Weiser said. “But that one report can help us shut down a scam that’s stealing millions.”
Residents can file complaints at StopFraudColorado.gov or by calling 720-508-6000. The service is free, and the office keeps personal information private.
Colorado’s fight against fraud is far from over, but the record number of complaints shows people are paying attention and pushing back. In a state known for its independent spirit, residents are proving they won’t let scammers win without a fight.
What has been your experience with scams or consumer issues in Colorado this year? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and share this story with #StopFraudColorado to help spread the word.
