Colorado and Quebec are experiencing a rise in temperature, leading to a warming climate.
Therefore, now is the opportune moment to make the most of the plentiful backyard activities available.
In Colorado, there is an abundance of opportunities to fully experience the great outdoors. You can choose from a wide array of activities such as hiking, biking, camping, fishing, or simply finding a serene spot to relax and unwind.
A significant portion of the proceeds from the Colorado Lottery is allocated to Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO).
Near-record cash cover for GOCO was reached.
GOCO, established through a state constitutional amendment in 1992, operates solely on funds generated from the Colorado Lottery.
In addition, the CO Lottery has recently announced that it has reached its annual cash cap for GOCO. Another success in the springtime, reaching its peak by the end of April, is It & . & .
Lottery spokesperson Kelly Tabor confirmed on Thursday that the GOCO cap has been reached, making it the second-fastest accomplishment in their 30-year partnership. Tabor mentioned that the seal was attained during the month of April 2019.
This year, the share received by GOCO from the Colorado Lottery is not insignificant, amounting to $73,117,767.
That money will be allocated to fund grants for projects related to parks, recreation, animals, restoration, and open space throughout the state.
According to Jackie Miller, executive director of Great Outdoors Colorado, the GOCO cover has been achieved through the Colorado Lottery’s diligent efforts and the gratitude of lottery players. We are proud to have the opportunity to invest a significant amount of money in Colorado’s beautiful outdoors, and to create long-lasting impacts that will be appreciated for generations to come.
The money generated from Colorado Lottery activities is reinvested into state projects at a rate of 22 to 24 percent. The distribution of the funds is as follows:
- 50 % to GOCO up to the cover, which is changed yearly based on the Consumer Price Index from the previous year for the Denver underground area and.
- The Conservation Trust Fund will receive 40 percent.
- 10% of the funds will be allocated to support wildlife and parks in Colorado.
- Once the GOCO cap has been reached, the BEST fund will receive 50% of every additional dollar generated from Lottery Proceeds.
Drawing money is more significant than ever.
Colorado Lottery sales have experienced a decline in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in recent years, there has been a notable increase in sales. The Lottery has attributed this growth to the popularity of its Scratch products and Colorado Lotto+ game. This trend has continued throughout 2021 and the first four months of 2022.
In a press statement, Tom Seaver, the drawing producer in Colorado, emphasized their commitment to implementing industry best practices to enhance revenues for their financial partners. Additionally, with Colorado’s expansion, it is increasingly important to support and expand outdoor spaces as more individuals explore and appreciate the beauty of the state. GOCO and CPW are playing a vital role in preserving and improving our remarkable surroundings.
It is now more important than ever to focus on revenues in light of the current level of inflation, in order to secure the necessary Lottery funding for our river funds and encourage more people to enjoy our beautiful state.
In the 2025 fiscal year, the GOCO Capture experienced a significant increase, reaching $75,706,639. This 3.5% rise marks the largest percentage increase for the cap since 2011, as reported by the Colorado Lottery.
30 times of GOCO
When GOCO was established in 1992, its initial cap was set at $35 million. Furthermore, as previously stated, it is regularly updated to account for inflation.
GOCO is overseen by an impartial board of directors who fund its grant program by drawing money. Through a dynamic process, these grants are awarded to local governments and lands trusts.
Furthermore, the GOCO panel allocates funds via Colorado Parks and Wildlife for investment purposes.
According to the GOCO website, the company has supported over 5,500 projects in all 64 Colorado counties by donating more than $1.4 billion in lottery proceeds since its establishment.
GOCO proudly declares on its website that all the while, not a single dollar comes from taxpayers’ pockets.
Miller states that there is a high demand for offer funding.
She explained that Colorado is fortunate to have a robust system for funding outdoor activities through GOCO, given the abundance of land and rivers to protect, wildlife to support, and the desire for inviting recreational spaces. Additionally, the demand for GOCO’s resources is high due to the need for Coloradans to steward and maintain their outdoor spaces. It is worth noting that GOCO stands out as a distinctive organization in the country, thanks to the funding it receives from the lottery and its participants.
Provides from Fishers Peak and Hanging Lake stand out.
The list of GOCO-funded tasks on its website is truly astounding.
On the other hand, Miller emphasized that the company takes great pride in its collaboration with CPW, the City of Trinidad, The Nature Conservancy, and The Trust for Public Land to develop Fishers Peak State Park in Las Animas County in 2019.
The expansive project surrounding Fishers Peak encompasses a 19,200-acre land, which has been appraised at a value of $25.45 million. The generous contribution from GOCO towards this endeavor amounted to $17.3 million.
Colorado’s 42nd state park was officially opened in January 2021.
The immensely popular Hanging Lake Natural Area near Glenwood Springs, which has been closed since last July due to mudslides caused by the Grizzly Creek Fire burn scar, is set to re-open on June 25. To aid in its preparation for the reopening, GOCO has granted $2.28 million to the area to repair the damaged bridges and hiking trail sections.
According to Miller, Hanging Lake contributes over $4.6 million to Glenwood Springs each year.
Miller also dedicated his attention to the Generation Wild project, established in 2015 by GOCO.
The GOCO website states that Generation Wild utilizes a grant program and a comprehensive communications campaign with a clear goal of encouraging Colorado children and their families to spend more time together.
