The Colorado Lottery launched on January 24, 1983, with a clear and unique mission—to fund projects that protect Colorado’s great outdoors. Its first drawing took place just a few months later, on April 23, 1983. Today, it stands out as the only lottery in the world that dedicates nearly all of its proceeds to natural resources, parks, recreation, and education.
As a proud member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), the Colorado Lottery also offers players access to major national games like Powerball and Mega Millions.
Purpose and Values
The lottery’s core mission is to design and sell fun, secure, and efficient lottery games that generate maximum funds for outdoor and educational projects across Colorado. Every ticket purchase contributes to enhancing the state’s natural beauty, public facilities, and future generations’ quality of life.
Games Offered by Colorado Lottery
Colorado Lottery offers a mix of local favorites and multi-state draws, including:
- Cash 5 – A fast-paced daily game with great odds.
- Pick 3 – Quick and easy to play with flexible play styles.
- Colorado Lotto+ – A local jackpot game with automatic multiplier features.
- Lucky for Life – Win $1,000 a day for life.
- Powerball & Mega Millions – Iconic games with huge national jackpots.
- Scratch tickets – Instant-win games in various formats and price points.
How Colorado Lottery Funds Are Used
Since its launch, the Colorado Lottery has invested over $4.3 billion in statewide projects, from building hiking trails and parks to funding educational infrastructure. Here’s how the money is allocated:
- 50% to Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) via a trust fund for competitive local grants.
- 40% to the Conservation Trust Fund, supporting local parks and recreation.
- 10% to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, protecting natural habitats.
- Once GOCO's cap is reached, additional proceeds are directed to the BEST fund (Building Excellent Schools Today) to improve school buildings and learning environments.
Where Your Dollar Goes
Every ticket sold stays in the state. Here’s the general breakdown:
- 65% goes to winners.
- 21–24% funds outdoor and education projects.
- 7–8% goes to retailers as commissions and bonuses.
Unlike most public agencies, the Colorado Lottery runs as an enterprise fund, receiving no taxpayer dollars. All operations—from employee pay to marketing and prizes—are funded through game sales.
Colorado Lottery in 2025 & Beyond
In 2025, the Colorado Lottery continues to make a measurable impact by preserving nature, funding community spaces, and improving education—all through fun and responsible play.
Check out the latest Colorado Lottery results and discover where your next ticket could take you—only at lotterycorner.com.
For details of Colorado lottery and latest news visit Colorado Lottery Official Website