Colorado Lottery Reaches $4 Billion in Proceeds

Since its establishment in 1983, the Colorado Lottery has brought funding to many of the state’s greatest assets — the great outdoors and public schools — through games such as Scratch, Mega Millions, Colorado Lotto+, Lucky for Life, Cash 5 and Pick 3.

Through state-established trust funds, the 100% self-funded organization has worked to reinvest lottery proceeds throughout the state to “enhance, protect, improve parks, trails, and open spaces in Colorado,” according to a news release from the organization.

In 1993, Coloradans voted to establish the Great Outdoors Colorado trust fund as a means of investing in the future of state outdoor recreation. Through this trust, the lottery funnels 50% of its proceeds to the GOCO trust, providing $73.1 million last year.

The lottery allocates 40% of proceeds to the Conservation Trust Fund, distributing funds throughout all 64 Colorado counties based on population. A total of $72.1 million was raised within the fund last year.

The remaining 10% of proceeds is given to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, hitting $16.6 million last year.

Lottery officials say conservation will continue to be a priority, and the organization will continue “expanding hands-on support through events throughout the year.”