Business bankruptcies in Colorado jumped 40 percent through September from the same period last year and could exceed 800 by year's end.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court Clerk Brad Bolton says the activity in Colorado has been steady but not dramatic. Some business officials say bankruptcies driven by the national economic crisis might not hit until early next year.

But Colorado recorded 96 filings in business bankruptcies in September, the highest monthly total since a record set in October 2005.

Filings soared in late 2005 before a new that made it harder for people to erase debts. The number dropped sharply in 2006 before rising again.