You Are The Winner!

You are a Colorado billion-dollar winner! Since 1983, the Lottery has returned more than one billion dollars to the people of Colorado.

Those funds have gone to build parks and recreation facilities, help preserve wildlife and open spaces, and build state facilities.

When the Lottery began in 1983, Lottery proceeds were distributed according to statute as follows:

• 10% to the Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation (State Parks)
• 40% to the Conservation Trust Fund (Conservation Trust Funds are for use by local governments for parks and recreation projects chosen by each community. Conservation Trust Funds are distributed on a per capita basis to municipalities, counties and special districts that provide park and recreation services.)
• 50% to the State Capital Construction Fund (state buildings)

Currently, Colorado Lottery proceeds are distributed according to the will of the voters.

• 10% to State Parks
• 40% to the Conservation Trust Fund
• Up to 50% to Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO)

GOCO funding is capped at $35 million in 1992 dollars, adjusted for the Denver Consumer Price Index. GOCO funds are awarded on a grant basis. The state constitution stipulates that GOCO funds are to be distributed in substantially equal portions to the following four areas:

• Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation
• Colorado Division of Wildlife
• Open space
• Local parks and recreation

Any funds that exceed the cap for GOCO flow into the Colorado Department of Education Contingency Reserve Fund. These dollars are used to address emergency capital construction needs (immediate health and safety hazards) in public schools on a grant basis.