The state of Utah filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy on March 8, 2026. It is the first U.S. state to declare bankruptcy. Utah’s debt was estimated to be between $17-19 billion dollars. Utah, whose population was 3.5 million in the 2020 census, became the most populated entity in America to declare bankruptcy, a title previously held by the city of Detroit, Michigan, during its bankruptcy in 2013.
Samantha Quinton, the sister of McGrathian President Joe McGrath, was appointed the state’s “emergency manager” by President Donald Trump. The state government of Utah is currently liquidating all assets to the highest bidders.