The city and county of Denver saw a 50 percent increase over last year in the number of foreclosures filed through September.
That’s the biggest increase in any county in the metro area, according to a survey of public trustees. And at 4,894 foreclosures through September, it’s also more than were filed in all of 2006.
At least two other counties – Douglas and Weld – have seen more foreclosures through the third quarter than they did all of last year.
Last year, Douglas County had a total of 1,252 foreclosures. Through September, the number of foreclosures has increased nearly 42 percent.
“We’re already in the mid-1,300s, and it’s now the middle of October,” said Diane Bailey, public trustee for Douglas County. “I’m anticipating we’ll be at least 1,600 by December.”
Weld County had a total of 2,073 foreclosures in 2006. Through September, it’s reporting 2,104, a nearly 40 percent increase over the same period last year.
“It’s the subprime mortgages; there are a lot of ARMs (adjustable-rate mortgages) in the mix,” said Margaret Chapman, public trustee in Jefferson County.
Margaret Jackson: 303-954-1473 or mjackson@denverpost.com
