Thanks to players, Lottery dollars brought these outstanding outdoor projects to life across the state.

Starburst Awards recognize excellence in the use of Lottery funds for community and conservation projects. Winners are chosen based on a number of considerations including the creativity of the project, economic and social impact on the community, as well as the broader impact to our state.

Thanks to players, the Colorado Lottery has reinvested billions since 1983 to support all the ways Coloradans enjoy our great outdoors. Lottery proceeds are distributed statewide through grants via Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), the Conservation Trust Fund, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, and Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST).

Questions? Contact Proceeds Manager Adrian Varney.


Congratulations to the 2025 Starburst Award Winners!

  1. Bear Creek Trail – City of Lakewood
    GOCO: $500,000 | Total Budget: $3,800,000
  2. Hanging Lake Trail Restoration – National Forest Foundation
    GOCO & CPW: $2,532,000 | Total Budget: $4,789,462
  3. Fort Lupton Community Park – City of Fort Lupton
    GOCO: $500,000 | Total Budget: $3,245,965
  4. Arkansas River Levee Trail – City of Pueblo
    GOCO: $1,238,500 | Total Budget: $5,637,175
  5. Amache-Sand Creek Youth Ambassador Program – Amache Alliance
    OEGP: $50,000
  6. Canyon Edge Open Space – Larimer County
    GOCO: $1,500,000 | Total Budget: $9,331,416
  7. Denver Parks Green Corps – City and County of Denver
    GOCO: $456,646 | Total Budget: $867,881
  8. Camp Hale National Monument Planning – Summit County
    GOCO: $43,575 | Total Budget: $75,800
  9. Lewis Heritage Farm – Conservation Partners & Lewis Family
    GOCO: $1,500,000 | Total Budget: $16,163,000
  10. O’Brien Park – Town of Parker
    CTF: $600,000 | Total Budget: $2,299,736
  11. Julesburg School Construction – Julesburg School District
    BEST: $33,470,964 | Total Budget: $41,600,000
  12. Reed Park Renovation – City of Fruita
    CTF & GOCO: $927,800 | Total Budget: $2,324,114
  13. Mt. Tom Conservation Corridor – Multiple Partners
    GOCO & CPW: $15,654,500 | Total Budget: $25,000,000
  14. Serene Conservancy – Prospect Recreation & Park District 
    ​​CTF: $157,751 | Total Budget: $1,309,372

Bear Creek Trail – City of Lakewood

Hanging Lake Trail Restoration – National Forest Foundation

Fort Lupton Community Park – City of Fort Lupton

Amache-Sand Creek Youth Ambassador Program – Amache Alliance

Canyon Edge Open Space – Larimer County

Denver Parks Green Corps – City and County of Denver

Camp Hale National Monument Planning – Summit County

Lewis Heritage Farm – Conservation Partners & Lewis Family

O’Brien Park – Town of Parker

Julesburg School Construction – Julesburg School District

Reed Park Renovation – City of Fruita

Mt. Tom Conservation Corridor – Multiple Partners

Serene Conservancy – Prospect Recreation & Park District


People’s Choice Award

The Voices of Colorado Have Spoken:

Congratulations to the City of Lakewood on their 2025 People’s Choice win!

 

Bear Creek Trail in the City of Lakewood won the People's Choice Award in 2025.