Colorado Lottery Hits Great Outdoors Funding Cap Earliest In 40-Year History

Written on 04 / 28 / 2025 by Jarrett Huff
Colorado Lottery has reached its cap on outdoors funding for this year.

The Colorado Lottery has achieved its highest-ever funding level for Great Outdoors Colorado in the fiscal year 2025. GOCO receives 50% of the revenue collected until it reaches a predetermined limit.

The allocation for this fiscal year, spanning from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2025, amounted to $75 million. On March 20, GOCO received a remarkable sum of $75,706,639 from the Lottery, setting a new record.

The account supports various initiatives and organizations across the state, spanning parks, recreational areas, wildlife habitats, open spaces, and conservation areas.

The animals and parks will then receive money funds, while the BEST may receive drawing money.

Since its establishment in 1992, GOCO money has provided support to over 5,000 projects, making Colorado the sole state that utilizes lottery funds to aid its interior. Additionally, more than 400 security grants have been disbursed.

GOCO has been in operation for 30 years and has successfully contributed over $1.4 billion to all counties in Colorado, supporting the creation of numerous jobs nationwide. The funding provided by GOCO has facilitated the development of various projects such as trails, wildlife preservation initiatives, parks, playgrounds, riverside areas, and event venues.

GOCO solely relies on funding from the Colorado Lottery, with no contributions being made by individuals.

GOCO determines the monthly hat sales quantity based on the consumer price index in Denver from the previous period. Typically, the quantity increases, and this trend is expected to continue in the upcoming year, particularly as inflation is anticipated to reach its highest increase ever.

GOCO$ received a total of $73.1 million for the fiscal year 2022 from the carving.

Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST), Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Wildlife Cash Fund, and the parks and outdoor recreation cash fund will receive the funds won through June 30. Additionally, GOCO will receive a portion of the funds as the lottery has reached its limit. Each of the two revenue sources will receive 25% of the funds raised, with BEST receiving 50% of it.

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Colorado Lottery’s establishment.

Big prizes had a big impact on the money increase.

The games Millions Mega and Powerball, with a combined jackpot of over $1 billion, played a significant role in reaching the bank and cap with just three weeks left in the fiscal year. Additionally, the Colorado Lotto generated over $14 million through scratch-offs and prizes.

The surge in participation from voters across the state brought immense joy to Tom Seaver, the president of the Colorado Lottery.

We are thrilled that numerous Coloradans actively participate in the lottery’s activities, available at our 3,000 locations throughout the state. We are also delighted that GOCO will have access to a significant amount of funding to continue their exceptional work. Additionally, in order to support other participants like BEST and the Outdoor Equity Fund, the Lottery will need to effectively increase our revenue. Until we receive support from GOCO, these funds did not receive any drawing money.

Yet income from the Colorado Lottery helps with wildlife conservation.

In addition to providing funding for GOCO and BEST, the Conservation Trust Fund receives 40% of the revenue generated by the Colorado Lottery, while Colorado Parks and Wildlife receive 10% of it.

There are numerous initiatives that support these businesses and projects, some of which are:

  • Scratch
  • Powerball
  • Mega Millions
  • Colorado Lotto +
  • lucky to be alive
  • 5 Revenue
  • Pick 3