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Government-style local government investment pool 

Prime-style local government investment pool 

Enhanced cash local government investment pool 

Current and historical rate information

A comprehensive introduction to the different COLOTRUST portfolios 
Get to know our diverse and experienced public finance officials who oversee the program
Our administrator, auditor, custodian, and legal counsel
Enrollment documents, prospectuses, and financials 
Updates, newsletters, and special reports
Upcoming Board meetings, holidays, events, and conferences
Answers to commonly asked questions about COLOTRUST

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Questions & Answers

General Questions

  • Who oversees COLOTRUST?

  • COLOTRUST is overseen by a Board of Trustees, comprised of twelve active members of the pool who have been elected by the Participants to oversee the management of the Trust. The Board is responsible for selecting the Administrator and Investment Advisor. Currently, the Board retains the services of Public Trust Advisors, LLC (Public Trust) located in Denver. Public Trust serves as the Administrator and Investment Advisor.

  • Who is eligible to use COLOTRUST?

  • Any county, city, town, school district, special district, or other political subdivision of the State of Colorado, or department, agency, or instrumentality thereof, or any political or public corporation of the State of Colorado may join COLOTRUST as a Participant and take advantage of the COLOTRUST investment options.

  • How can an eligible entity Participate in COLOTRUST?

  • Enrolling in COLOTRUST is simple. Any of the entity types listed in the answer above may join COLOTRUST as a Participant and take advantage of the investment program.

    To participate in COLOTRUST, please take the following steps:

    1. Read the Trust Indenture
    2. Read the applicable Information Statement(s)
    3. Adopt, execute, and provide to COLOTRUST a copy of a resolution adopting the Indenture and naming a Designee to participate in COLOTRUST. The COLOTRUST Registration Packet includes a model resolution.
    4. Keep the original forms for your records, and send the completed packet to the COLOTRUST Client Service Team by fax (877) 311-0220 or by email to clientservices@colotrust.com.

  • Does Board oversight differ between the COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds and COLOTRUST EDGE?

  • No, the COLOTRUST Board of Trustees administers and oversees all investment portfolios offered by COLOTRUST now and in the future.

  • What are the business hours at COLOTRUST?

  • The COLOTRUST Client Service Team is available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. MT. Please consult the Client Services Page for COLOTRUST office closures.

  • Is there a maximum or minimum investment requirement for the COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds and the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund?

  • No, there is no maximum or minimum investment requirement for the California COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds and the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund.

  • Is there a maximum or minimum number of transactions for the COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds and the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund?

  • No, there is no limit to the number of transactions a Participant may execute with the COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds and the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund.

  • What are the fees associated with wires/ACHs?

  • COLOTRUST does not charge any banking fees to its Participants. However, your sending/receiving bank may have wiring fees and/or incoming ACH fees, therefore we recommend always checking with a representative at your bank to discuss the potential costs.

  • How can I submit an audit confirmation to COLOTRUST?

  • COLOTRUST is accessible on www.confirmation.com – select the name “Public Trust Advisors” when entering your request. Client Services will receive notification and process your audit confirmation on the platform.

    Alternatively, you may email your audit confirmation to clientservices@colotrust.com and provide either a fax number or email for receipt.

    Audit confirmations sent via USPS may experience a significant delay, so we strongly encourage the first two methods.

Managing My Account

  • Does COLOTRUST limit the number of subaccounts a Participant can have?

  • COLOTRUST does not limit the number of subaccounts a Participant can have.

  • How do I make transactions?

  • To invest in or redeem from the COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds and the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund, Participants must enter their orders through the Online Transaction Portal.

  • What are the daily cut-off times for transactions?

  • Transactions (withdrawals, contributions, transfers) must be submitted by 11:00 a.m. MT for same-day processing.

  • When are wires sent from my account when I request a withdrawal?

  • Wires are sent every hour with the final distribution taking place shortly after the close of the fund at 11:00 a.m. MT; distribution times are subject to change as needed by the COLOTRUST Administrator.

  • For a next-day ACH, what is the cut-off time?

  • COLOTRUST PRIME and PLUS+ next-day ACH requests must be received by 11:00 a.m. MT (24 hours in advance).

  • What is the difference between a Wire and an ACH?

  • Wires are funds transferred via the Federal Reserve Wire System and can be processed and received by your beneficiary bank on the same day if the transaction is requested prior to the 11:00 a.m. MT cut-off. ACHs (Automated Clearing House) are processed overnight and are generally available to the beneficiary bank one business day after the transaction request has been made.

  • Are the banking instructions different for a wire or an ACH?

  • Many banking institutions have separate ABA/Routing Numbers depending on whether the transactions are being processed via wire or ACH. Please contact your local banking representative to ensure that you are providing COLOTRUST Client Services with the appropriate account information. The instructions to send money into COLOTRUST can be found in the online transaction portal.

  • What are the deposit instructions for the COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds and the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund?

  • Please go to the Documents Section of the COLOTRUST Online Transaction Portal and click on Forms in the lefthand menu to view the Deposit Instructions. Please note, you will need to initiate the wire with your bank. COLOTRUST must receive the wire by 3:00 p.m. MT.

  • How do I add or delete authorized banks?

  • Please navigate to the Administration menu to make changes to your Authorized Banks. Please refer to the User Guide available in the Forms menu for further instructions.

  • How do I update my contact information and notification preferences?

  • Once logged in to the COLOTRUST Online Transaction Portal, Participants can update their contact information and notification preferences by navigating to the to the Administration menu then choosing My Info.

  • How do I update individuals who have access to my COLOTRUST account?

  • Please navigate to the Administration menu to make changes to your Authorized Contacts. Please refer to the User Guide available in the Forms menu for further instructions.

     

  • What are the definitions for Designee and Alternate Designee?

  • The Designee is the legal representative that acts for and on behalf of each Participant. For example, a key function of the Designee is to vote annually for the COLOTRUST Board of Trustees. Alternate Designees are the representatives that act on behalf of each Participant, in the absence of the Designee.

COLOTRUST Online Transaction Portal

  • What is the COLOTRUST Online Transaction Portal?

  • The COLOTRUST Transaction Portal is a secure, Internet-based transaction system that allows registered COLOTRUST Participants to self-manage their COLOTRUST accounts. The portal is available 24/7, 365 days a year

  • What transaction functions can the COLOTRUST Online Transaction Portal perform?

  • The COLOTRUST Online Transaction Portal allows Participants to make contributions, withdrawals, and transfers between subaccounts; Participants may also transfer funds to other COLOTRUST Participants. Users can take advantage of the ability to request transactions up to one year in advance. The portal also allows for dual approval of transactions for those who have submitted the Dual Authorization Form.

  • What reporting features does the COLOTRUST Online Transaction Portal offer?

  • Reporting features available in the COLOTRUST Online Transaction Portal include access to monthly statements, transaction confirmations, and details highlighting past, present, and future-dated transactions. It is also possible to run on-demand reports for custom time frames and download the monthly holdings reports.

  • How are the COLOTRUST monthly statements delivered?

  • You will receive an email notification of the availability of your monthly comprehensive statement. To download your COLOTRUST statement, please go to the Documents Section of the COLOTRUST Online Transaction Portal and click on Statements/Transaction Confirmations.

  • How does a new COLOTRUST Participant receive login credentials?

  • All Participants will receive login credentials upon the establishment of their account via email. If you do not currently have online credentials, please reach out to Client Services at (877) 311-0219 or email clientservices@colotrust.com

  • How quickly can I expect to receive login credentials?

  • Login credentials will be distributed once a user is added to an account.

  • How does an existing COLOTRUST Participant change or update their login credentials?

  • Once logged in, Participants can update their password by selecting the Administration menu then choosing My Info.

  • Can I share my online account with another person at my entity?

  • No; for your security, everyone will be required to have their own online user account that is tied to a unique email address. We do not allow multiple contacts to use the same email address.

  • How do I update the phone number used for two-factor authentication via text message?

  • Participants can update their phone number by selecting the Administration menu, then choosing My Info.

COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds

  • What are the investment objectives of the COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds?

    1. Safety of principal
      • Safety of principal is the foremost objective of the investment program. Investments are undertaken in a manner that prioritizes the preservation of capital.
      • To maintain the highest rating for the COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.
    2. Liquidity of funds
      • Portfolios are managed to remain sufficiently liquid to help Participants meet cash flow needs that might be reasonably anticipated.
    3. Yield
      • Portfolios are designed with the goal of generating a competitive rate of return without undue compromise of the safety and liquidity objectives.
    4. Transparency
      • Portfolios are operationally enabled to allow Participants to readily obtain portfolio and account information via an easy-to-use technology platform.
  • Are COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds rated?

  • The COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds are rated ‘AAAm’ by S&P Global Ratings Services, the highest rating assigned to principal stability government investment pools.

    A ‘AAAm’ rating by S&P Global Ratings is obtained after S&P evaluates a number of factors including credit quality, market price exposure, and management. Ratings are subject to change and do not remove credit risk.

  • What types of securities do the COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds invest in?

  • The COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds invest solely in securities that are permitted pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes and adhere to the COLOTRUST Investment Policy.

  • What are the risks of investing in products like the COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds?

     

  • Investing involves risks including the possible loss of principal. The investment decisions made by the COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds are subject to certain risks and such decisions may not always be profitable. the COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds do not guarantee returns or performance against stated benchmarks. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Many factors affect performance including changes in market conditions and interest rates and in response to other economic, political, or financial developments. The following is a summary of common risks associated with investing in products like the COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds.

    Interest Rate Risk

    The prices of the fixed-income securities in the COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds will rise and fall in response to changes in the interest rates paid by similar securities. Generally, when interest rates rise, prices of fixed-income securities fall. However, market factors, such as demand for particular fixed-income securities, may cause the price of certain fixed-income securities to fall while the price of other securities rise or remain unchanged. Interest rate changes have a greater effect on the price of fixed-income securities with longer maturities. The Investment Advisor will seek to manage this risk by purchasing short-term securities.

    Credit Risk

    Credit risk is the possibility that an issuer of a fixed-income security held in the the COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds will default on the security by failing to pay interest or principal when due. If an issuer defaults, Participants in the COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds may incur losses. The Investment Advisor will seek to manage this risk by purchasing high quality securities as determined by one or more Nationally Recognized Statistical Ratings Organizations and/or the Investment Advisor’s credit research team.

    Stable Net Asset Value (NAV) Risk

    Although the COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds are managed to maintain a stable NAV of $1.00 per Share, there is no guarantee that it will be able to do so.

    Investment Not Insured or Guaranteed Risk

    An investment in the COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds is neither insured nor guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

    Liquidity Risk

    The COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds are subject to certain liquidity risks in which the size of a bond’s market, the frequency of trades, the ease of valuation, and/or issue size may impact the Investment Advisor’s ability to sell investments in a timely fashion or at or near fair value in order to fulfill a Participant’s redemption request.

    Market Risk

    Market risk is the risk that the value of securities owned goes up or down, sometimes rapidly and/or unpredictably, due to factors affecting securities markets generally or within particular industries.

    Issuer Risk

    The risk that the value of a security declines for a reason directly related to the issuer such as management performance, financial leverage, and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods or services.

    Default Risk

    The risk that a bond issuer (or counterparty) will default by failing to repay principal and interest in a timely manner.

COLOTRUST EDGE Fund

  • What are the investment objectives of the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund?

  • The COLOTRUST EDGE Fund is designed to complement the COLOTRUST Prime and PLUS+ Funds for Colorado local governments. The general objective of the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund is to seek to generate a higher level of income for Participants while preserving capital by investing in only the highest quality securities that are legal pursuant to the Legal Investments Act (Part 6, Article 75, Title 24, C.R.S.) and the Public Deposit Protection Act (Articles 10.5 and 47 of Title 11, C.R.S.) and the COLOTRUST EDGE Investment Policy. The COLOTRUST EDGE Fund offers longer-dated, fixed-income investments seeking to enhance returns while providing next-day liquidity to its participants.

  • How can I become a COLOTRUST EDGE Fund Participant?

  • Current COLOTRUST Participants simply need to complete the EDGE Registration Form to begin investing.

    New local governments looking to invest in any of the COLOTRUST portfolios will first need to pass a resolution authorizing participation in COLOTRUST; a model resolution is provided for your convenience in the COLOTRUST Registration Packet.

    For more information, please contact the COLOTRUST Relationship Team to get started.

  • Which of my funds are better suited for investment with the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund?

  • The COLOTRUST EDGE Fund offers next-day liquidity and is best suited for funds not needed on a frequent or near-term basis. The COLOTRUST EDGE Fund is designed for investors with slightly longer investment horizons and the ability to tolerate a higher risk profile.

  • Does the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund seek to maintain a stable $1.00 net asset value (NAV)?

  • No, the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund is designed as a variable NAV fund that is calculated and published as a fair value NAV on a daily basis. The COLOTRUST EDGE portfolio has designated a $10.00 transactional share price in order to clearly differentiate the portfolio from a traditional $1.00 stable NAV fund.

  • What types of securities are purchased for the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund?

  • All investments made on behalf of the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund are in compliance with the Legal Investments Act (Part 6, Article 75, Title 24, C.R.S.) and the COLOTRUST EDGE Investment Policy. For a complete list of eligible investments for COLOTRUST EDGE, please contact the COLOTRUST Relationship Team.

  • Is the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund rated?

  • Yes, the COLOTRUST EDGE portfolio is rated ‘AAAf/S1’ by FitchRatings.

    The ‘AAAf’ rating is Fitch’s opinion on the overall credit profile within a fixed-income fund/portfolio and indicates the highest underlying credit quality of the pool’s investments. The ‘S1’ volatility rating is Fitch’s opinion on the relative sensitivity of a portfolio’s total return and/or net asset value to assumed changes in credit spreads and interest rates. The ‘S1’ volatility rating indicates that the fund possesses a low sensitivity to market risks. For a full description on rating methodology, please visit www.fitchratings.com. Ratings are subject to change and do not remove credit risk.

  • Will I see my COLOTRUST EDGE account when I log in to the online portal?

  • Yes, you will see your COLOTRUST EDGE account alongside your COLOTRUST PRIME and PLUS+ accounts (as applicable). You may also view any reports, such as monthly statements, that are associated with your COLOTRUST EDGE Fund account in the Documents section by clicking on Statements/Transaction Confirmations.

  • I need to add information regarding the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund to my CAFR notes in our financial statements; can you provide suggested language to include?

  • Yes; below please find our recommended language that you can customize to meet your specific reporting requirements and period. You can find the EDGE WAM and WAL for your specific reporting date on the Yields page.

    “COLOTRUST EDGE is a variable net asset value (NAV) local government investment pool that offers next-day liquidity to Participants. EDGE is suitable for a local government’s strategic reserves/non-operating funds and has a NAV that is managed to approximate a $10.00 transactional share price. COLOTRUST EDGE measures its investments at fair value so investments in EDGE are not required to be categorized within the fair value hierarchy. EDGE is rated ‘AAAf/S1’ by FitchRatings. As of DATE, COLOTRUST EDGE possessed a weighted average maturity of XXX days and a weighted average life of XXX days.”

    If you need additional assistance or have further questions about this language, please contact the COLOTRUST Client Service team.

  • What are the risks of investing in a product like the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund?

  • Investing involves risks including the possible loss of principal. The investment decisions made by the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund are subject to certain risks and such decisions may not always be profitable. The COLOTRUST EDGE Fund does not guarantee returns or performance against stated benchmarks. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Many factors affect performance including changes in market conditions and interest rates and in response to other economic, political, or financial developments. The following is a summary of common risks associated with investing in a product like the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund.

    Interest Rate Risk

    The prices of the fixed-income securities in the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund will rise and fall in response to changes in the interest rates paid by similar securities. Generally, when interest rates rise, prices of fixed-income securities fall. However, market factors, such as demand for particular fixed-income securities, may cause the price of certain fixed-income securities to fall while the price of other securities rise or remain unchanged. Interest rate changes have a greater effect on the price of fixed-income securities with longer maturities. The Investment Advisor will seek to manage this risk by purchasing short-term securities.

    Credit Risk

    Credit risk is the possibility that an issuer of a fixed-income security held in the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund will default on the security by failing to pay interest or principal when due. If an issuer defaults, Participants in the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund may incur losses. The Investment Advisor will seek to manage this risk by purchasing high-quality securities as determined by one or more Nationally Recognized Statistical Ratings Organizations and/or the Investment Advisor’s credit research team.

    Fluctuating Net Asset Value (NAV) Risk

    Because the share price of a variable net asset value fund will fluctuate, when you sell your shares, they may be worth more or less than what you originally paid for them.

    Investment Not Insured or Guaranteed Risk

    An investment in the COLOTRUST EDGE Fund is neither insured nor guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

    Liquidity Risk

    The COLOTRUST EDGE Fund is subject to certain liquidity risks in which the size of a bond’s market, the frequency of trades, the ease of valuation, and/or issue size may impact the Investment Advisor’s ability to sell investments in a timely fashion or at or near fair value in order to fulfill a Participant’s redemption request.

    Market Risk

    Market risk is the risk that the value of securities owned goes up or down, sometimes rapidly and/or unpredictably, due to factors affecting securities markets generally or within particular industries.

    Issuer Risk

    The risk that the value of a security declines for a reason directly related to the issuer such as management performance, financial leverage, and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods or services.

    Default Risk

    The risk that a bond issuer (or counterparty) will default by failing to repay principal and interest in a timely manner.