Colorado Lottery: Unveiling the Biggest Winners and Game Insights

Written by Jackpot Staff

January 20, 2025

Colorado Lottery and History

The Colorado Lottery, which was established on January 24, 1983, has become a major part of the state - not just for the excitement it brings, but also for the financial support it provides to public projects. Over time, it has expanded to include a wide range of games, from local staples like Colorado Lotto+ to nationwide sensations like Powerball and Mega Millions. This piece dives into the tales of Colorado’s most notable lottery winners, gives a closer look at the games themselves, and highlights how lottery funds have positively influenced local communities.

Exploring the Largest Jackpots in Colorado Lottery History

Colorado Lotto: A Legacy of Big Wins

The Colorado Lotto, launched on January 24, 1989, was a game-changer in the state's lottery offerings. Players were tasked with selecting six numbers from a pool of 42, with the allure of a minimum jackpot set at $1 million. The largest jackpot in the history of Colorado Lotto was an impressive $27 million, won by Kim Walker of Boulder in 1992. This monumental win not only set a record for the game but also marked Kim Walker as the 100th Lotto millionaire in Colorado. The average jackpot for the Colorado Lotto hovered around $3.4 million, reflecting a consistent trend of substantial winnings over the years. However, the game saw its final drawing on September 22, 2019, as it made way for its successor, Colorado Lotto+.

Colorado Lotto+: A New Era of Winning

Introduced on September 25, 2019, Colorado Lotto+ brought a fresh twist to the traditional lottery format. With a reduced number pool from 42 to 40, the odds of winning improved, and the ticket price increased from $1 to $2. Drawings now occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, offering players more chances to win. One of the standout features of Colorado Lotto+ is the random multiplier, which can enhance non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, or 5x. Additionally, for an extra $1, players can opt for the "plus" option, which allows them to win prizes up to $250,000. The largest jackpot claimed in Colorado Lotto+ to date is $25 million, won in January 2022, showcasing the game's potential for life-changing prizes.

Multi-Jurisdictional Games: Powerball, Mega Millions, and Lucky for Life

Powerball: A Gateway to Massive Jackpots

Colorado joined the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) and began offering Powerball tickets on April 23, 2001. Known for its massive jackpots, Powerball starts at $40 million, with drawings held on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights. Players select five numbers from a pool of 1 to 69 and an additional Powerball number from 1 to 26. The largest Powerball jackpot won in Colorado was a staggering $133 million, claimed in September 2017, highlighting the game's potential for extraordinary winnings.

Mega Millions: A Popular Choice Despite No Jackpot Wins

Mega Millions made its debut in Colorado on May 16, 2010, as part of a cross-selling agreement between the Mega Millions consortium and MUSL. Players choose five numbers from a pool of 1 to 70 and a Mega Ball from a pool of 1 to 25. Although Colorado has yet to produce a Mega Millions jackpot winner, the game remains a popular choice among players, with the Megaplier option offering the chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes.

Lucky for Life: A Unique Lifetime Prize Option

Lucky for Life, which expanded to Colorado on July 17, 2016, offers a unique twist on traditional lottery games. Players select five numbers from a pool of 48 "white balls" and one "Lucky Ball" from a pool of 18 numbers. The game is renowned for its lifetime prize options, allowing winners to choose between an annuity or a cash payout. Colorado celebrated its first top-prize winner in 2021, underscoring the game's appeal for those seeking long-term financial security.

Notable Winners: Celebrating Recent Success Stories

Recent Winners: Highlighting Community Wins

Beyond the major jackpots, the Colorado Lottery has awarded numerous significant prizes across various games. For instance, in April 2024, a resident of Wray claimed a $7,860,854 Colorado Lotto+ jackpot, purchased at a local 7-Eleven. This win is particularly noteworthy as it demonstrates the potential for large prizes even in smaller communities. Other recent winners include those who have claimed substantial prizes in games like Powerball and Mega Millions, further illustrating the diverse opportunities for winning.

Significant Wins by Game: Powerball, Mega Millions, and Scratch Tickets

Powerball: In addition to the $133 million jackpot, several players have won $100,000, showcasing the game's ability to award significant secondary prizes.

Mega Millions: While there has not been a jackpot winner in Colorado, players have still won notable amounts, such as $2,000, through the Megaplier option.

Scratch Tickets: Various scratch games have produced winners of significant amounts, with players winning $5,000 on scratch tickets during promotional periods, highlighting the diversity of winning opportunities across different types of lottery games.

Distribution of Lottery Proceeds: Supporting Colorado's Future

One of the most commendable aspects of the Colorado Lottery is how its proceeds are distributed to benefit the community. In 1992, voters approved a constitutional amendment directing a significant portion of lottery revenues to public benefit programs. This ensures that the revenue generated from the lottery supports a wide range of public initiatives, enhancing the quality of life for Colorado residents.

Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO): 50% of the lottery proceeds go to GOCO, which allocates these funds through competitive grants to local governments and land trusts. These funds are dedicated to outdoor recreation, parks, trails, rivers, wildlife, and open space projects.

Conservation Trust Fund: 40% of the proceeds are allocated to the Conservation Trust Fund, supporting conservation efforts across the state.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife: 10% of the proceeds go to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, aiding the state's parks and wildlife management programs.

Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) Fund: After the GOCO cap is met, any additional proceeds are directed to the BEST fund, focusing on improving school infrastructure and educational facilities.

How to Find Winners: Stay Informed and Engaged

For those interested in tracking winners and learning more about the Colorado Lottery, several resources are available to keep you informed:

Colorado Lottery Website: The official website provides detailed information on recent winners, including the amounts won and the locations where winning tickets were purchased.

"Who's Winning" Report: The Colorado Lottery publishes a report listing recent winners and their winnings, offering transparency and insight into the distribution of prizes.

News Updates: Regular news updates and press releases from the Colorado Lottery keep the public informed about significant wins and other lottery-related news.

These resources help maintain transparency and public interest in the lottery, ensuring that winners are recognized and the public remains engaged with the various games and initiatives.

Join the Excitement and Play Today

The Colorado Lottery has a rich history of awarding significant prizes through its various games, while also contributing substantially to public benefit programs. From the largest jackpots in Colorado Lotto and Colorado Lotto+ to the multi-jurisdictional games like Powerball and Mega Millions, the lottery continues to be a source of excitement and financial support for the state's residents. If you're feeling lucky and want to be part of this thrilling experience, consider signing up for lottery games and scratchers in Colorado through Jackpot.com. Who knows? You might just become the next big winner!