Debt collection complaints surge in Colorado. Here’s what you can do

DENVER — Colorado is seeing a sharp rise in complaints about debt collection calls, and consumer advocates warn that some of them may cross the line into abusive — or even fraudulent — behavior.

A NumberBarn analysis of the latest Federal Trade Commission data shows that debt collection complaints nationwide have increased by 150% in the past year, with almost 1,000 complaints filed in Colorado. Reports of abusive or threatening calls have nearly quadrupled in that same time.

Financial educators cite two main reasons: more people are falling behind on payments, and a weakened Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that may have emboldened some debt collectors.

“We don’t like to talk about it a whole lot,” said Thomas Nitzche, a financial educator with the debt counseling nonprofit Mone