Hey there! You’ve come across the most essential breakdown of all things relating to the Colorado Lottery. If you found us on purpose, you’re in the right place. If not, keep on reading anyway and we’ll take you through the top lottery games on offer in the state and their odds and prizes, with a bit of history too. The CO state lotto is structured in a way that directs all its revenue to the best assets the state has to offer – the environment. In our book, that’s a winner. There’s a lot of lotto gold hidden in the Centennial State, with a lot of lottery games on offer. Read on and find out all you can about the CO Lotto.

A banner with the logo of the Colorado Lottery.

Stay tuned to find out the top Colorado Lottery games the Centennial State has to offer! We’ve selected the best games with the greatest odds for you to take a look at and play on your own time. Be informed and be a winner! Find out which Draw Games you can play in this state, get to know the Scratchers options, and get the ever important lowdown on state lottery laws and the intriguing history of the CO lotto. We’ll also fill you in on CO lottery draw times, the best odds, and some lottery-related Colorado quirks!

The Various Colorado Lottery Games On Offer

Over the next few sections we’ll take you through all the distinct categories of lottery game that are on offer in Colorado. Lotteries mostly fall into two exciting categories. There are those ever present Draw Games, those ones you’ve probably seen on TV or advertisements for. They reap some pretty big rewards. There are also Scratch Off tickets to discover, these are instant win games that can be picked up from retailers. There are also some Colorado Lottery games that defy categorization – don’t worry, we’ll take you through those too.

Draw Games: CO Lottos with Big Jackpots

Draw Games are available almost everywhere, and Colorado is no exception. What is a Draw Game? They’re those games that offer the biggest jackpots, and are therefore pretty hard to win. When you purchase a ticket, you select a set amount of numbers from a range. Later, the same amount of numbers is drawn from the range, and you simply match as many of your numbers you can to the drawn numbers! Check the draw times for the CO Lotto’s main games in the table.

Colorado Lottery Number Drawing
Game Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
9:00 PM 8:00 PM
8:59 PM 7:59 PM
10:38 PM 10:38 PM
1:36 PM 7:36 PM  1:36 PM 7:36 PM  1:36 PM 7:36PM  1:36 PM 7:36 PM  1:36 PM 7:36 PM  1:36 PM 7:36 PM  1:36 PM 7:36 PM 
7:35 PM 7:35 PM 7:35 PM 7:35 PM 7:35 PM 7:35 PM 7:35 PM
7:35 PM 7:35 PM
*Times Based on MST

As you can see from the table, there’s a nice assortment of draw times across the days of the week. Check the winning numbers on the date and time listed above for the most up-to-date Colorado lottery results. Some are bi-weekly, others daily, and one even twice daily (!) meaning that you can play multiple CO Lottery Draw Games and never be waiting too long to hear your numbers. At the top there are those big quasi-national lottos – Mega Millions and Powerball, while the rest are either unique to Colorado or the wider region. Let’s take a look at them in detail.

Mega Millions: Lacking a Winner

Mega Millions has been around in Colorado for only about 10 years, but its reputation has definitely preceded itself. Its rolling jackpot can reach over $500 millions, and while Americans over the country have tasted gold in the form of jackpots, there have been no big winners in the Centennial State as of yet. Players can grab a ticket for $2 to select 5 numbers from 70, with a 1/25 ‘Megaball’ bonus, and pick up an optional non-jackpot winnings multiplier for an additional $1. Check the drawings on Tuesdays and Fridays, and the odds and prize breakdown below.

Matching Numbers Prize Amount Odds
5 + Megaball Jackpot 1:302,575,350
5 $1 Million 1:12,607,306
4 + Megaball $10,000 1:931,001
4 $500 1:38,792
3 + Megaball $200 1:14,547
3 $10 1:606
2 + Megaball $10 1:693
1 + Megaball $4 1:89
Megaball only $2 1:37

Powerball: Paying Out in Colorado

Powerball is the other of the two big multi-jurisdictional available in Colorado after Mega Millions. It’s been around for a little longer however, appearing on the CO Lotto roster in 2001, resulting in some big wins, the most notable being $133 million in 2017. Similar to Mega Millions, it’s a 5/69 game, with a 1/26 ‘Powerball’ bonus. You can even boost your overall odds of returning a cash prize by picking up a ‘Power Play’ for an additional $1 on top of a $2 ticket. Drawings are held on Wednesday and Saturday evenings.

Matching Numbers Prize Amount Odds
5 + Powerball Jackpot 1:292,201,338
5 $1 Million 1:11,688,054
4 + Powerball $50,000 1:913,129
4 $100 1:36,525
3 + Powerball $100 1:14,494
3 $7 1:580
2 + Powerball $7 1:701
1 + Powerball $4 1:92
Powerball only $4 1:38

Lucky for Life: A Regional Favorite

Lucky for Life is another of those bi-weekly stunners, this particular one a regional game played throughout the East Coast. It’s been going on for a while now – Massachusetts has the most winners, with 41 getting the two top prizes since the lottery’s inception n 2015. Those who manage to take the top prize snag $1,000 a day for the rest of their lives! The next best prize isn’t too shabby either, $25,000 a year. It’s a 5/48 game, with a bonus Lucky Ball number being drawn from 18 possible numbers. No one in Colorado is yet to take either of the top prizes! Check the odds and prizes out below.

Matching Numbers Prize Amount Odds
5 + Lucky Ball $1,000 a day for life 1:30,821,472
5 $25,000 a year for life 1:1,813,028
4 + Lucky Ball $5,000 1:143,356
4 $200 1:8,433
3 + Lucky Ball $150 1:3,413
3 $20 1:201
2 + Lucky Ball $25 1:250
2 $3 1:15
1 + Lucky Ball $6 1:50
Lucky Ball Only $4 1:32

Pick 3: Flexibility at its Best

Pick 3 is a simple game upon first glance, but it’s many ways to play offers deep complexity and flexibility. Ticket purchasers select 3 numbers between 0 and 9, and then can customize the ways in which these numbers are played. They can be played for an exact match, any order, or even in pairs, with either the front two numbers, or the back pair. What’s more, these ways to play can be combined to greater odds! Tickets can be purchased for $0.50, $1, $2, and $5, depending on your style. Talk about adaptability!

Matching Numbers Prize Amount ($1 play) Odds
Exact order $500 1:1,000
Any order $80 1:167
Any order (two of the same number) $160 1:333
Exact order + any order $250 + $40 1:1,000 + 1:167
Exact order + any order (two of the same number) $250 + $80 1:1,000 +1:333
Front pair $30 1:100
Back pair $30 1:100

Cash 5: No Frills

Cash 5 is a game notable for its simplicity. It’s a great little no frills Colorado Lottery special. Simply select 5 numbers from a range of 32, and yes, match them to win. That’s it! There is a slight quirk to the game that makes thing a bit more interesting. Pick up an EZ Match for another $1 on top of the $1 ticket, and you can win instantly! This boosts the overall odds of Cash 5 from 1 in 6.2 to 1 in 5.22. Scope out the breakdown below.

Matching Numbers Prize Amount Odds
5 $20,000 1:201,376
4 $200 1:1,492
3 $10 1:57
2 $1 1:7

Colorado Lotto+

Colorado Lotto+ is another of those CO Lottery games that offer greater odds for a little additional $1 play. Basically, Colorado Lotto+ is a 6/40 game, with random multipliers added upon purchase. When you purchase the $1 ‘Plus’ on top of the $2 ticket, your numbers are matched against an additional drawing played right after the bi-weekly draw. The Plus jackpot is $250,000, while the regular jackpot starts at $1 Million. The jackpots aren’t multiplied by the multipliers, unfortunately, however Plus winnings and regular winnings are.

Matching Numbers Prize Amount (Base multiplier) Odds
6 Jackpot 1:3,838,380
5 $250 1:18,816
4 $25 1:456
3 $3 1:32

The Best Colorado Scratchers: Scratch Off Tickets with the Best Odds

Scratch Off Lottery tickets are often thought of secondary when it comes to tossing up between the two big categories. They’re actually damn fun and have some great odds when you know which ones to go for. As not all Scratchers are created equal, we’ve broken down the best of the Colorado Lottery bunch, so you’ll know where to put your money. These instant winners could net you a big old win, in between draw times for the Draw Games while you wait for your jackpot (wink).

  1. $3,000,000 (Odds: 1 out of 2.70)
  2. $3,000,000 Black Titanium (Odds: 1 out of 2.70)
  3. Surplus Revenue (Odds: 1 out of 2.71)
  4. Towering Trea$ure (Odds: 1 out of 2.71)
  5. MY $1,000,000 (Odds: 1 out of 2.88)

Some of those games have a pretty great top prize – the biggest, and the top two, have a jackpot prize of $3 Million, which is pretty stellar for a Scratcher. However, the ticket price for the Scratcher varies with the prize – the bigger the prize, the more expensive the ticket. These top Colorado Lotto Scratcher tickets are all above $20, but have the greatest overall odds of returning some form of winnings to the ticket holder.

Some Special Colorado Lottery Alternative Games

Most states have a nice alternative to the classic pairing of Draw Games and Scratchers, where you can play other lotto games that usually take the form of instant wins, much like Scratchers. At the Colorado Lottery, things are a little more unique, and there aren’t actually any other lottery games on offer through the official lottery page. What they do have however, is a selection of online games where the only stakes are your pride and perseverance to beat the high score. These online games prove to be a nice reprieve from higher stakes, and offer some satisfying and fun ventures into other worlds. They are all closely related to the happenings of the CO Lotto, with Play On Game taking you in the virtual outdoors to see where the revenue for the Lottery goes. All of these free Colorado lottery games are available on the official Colorado lotto app. Lucky Lenny and Infinite Luck take you on a fun scroller adventure, with close links to the Draw Game Lucky for Life reminding you that the jackpot is just around the corner. While not technically lottery, we think these games are worth the detour. Check the Colorado Lottery official website for the whole range.

Some Important Laws Regarding CO Lotteries

As is the case in the United States, each state is bound by their own territorial laws, meaning what’s legal in one state, isn’t always legal in another. In Colorado you only have to be 18 in order to purchase a lottery ticket, whereas if you were to head to Arizona nearby, you’d need to be 21 in order to play. Legal age isn’t the only thing, each state differs in terms of issues regarding tax, anonymity, limit to claim your winnings, and others. Check the table for the breakdown.

Legal Age for Lottery Games: 18+
Tax on Winnings: 4.0%
Anonymity for Winners: No
Limit to Claim Win: 180 Days
Online Lottery: No

As we said above, the legal age is 18 in order to play the Colorado Lottery. As far as taxes go, The Centennial State has it pretty good, with 4.0% of the winnings going towards the state in order to fund matters of parks and the environment. You cannot claim anonymity in the state, which is hugely important if you want to protect yourself from any undue attention, however there is a way to work around a lack of anonymity. You can purchase tickets in the name of a trust, rather than your own name, which means that if you win, your identity will be protected. Colorado is one of the few states that allows this. Pretty nifty huh?

History of the Colorado Lottery

The Colorado Lotto was founded in 1983, when legislation was brought in that legalized lottery gambling. Since an amendment was passed in 1992, 50% of the Colorado Lottery revenue was directed towards improving parks, wildlife and the great outdoors that the state is famous for, being directed into a trust fund administered by Great Outdoors Colorado. After a cap of revenue has been met with this organization, the extra revenue goes towards building better schools for the state. This is why lotteries are more than just about the individual gain, they’re win-wins for all.

Overview of the Colorado Lottery
Company: Colorado Department of Revenue Founded: 1983
Headquarters: 720 S Colorado Blvd #110a, Denver, CO Social Media: Facebook
Website: www.coloradolottery.com Biggest Win: $27 Million

The Colorado Lottery has been around for a while, as you can tell. Founded in 1983, it’s been almost 40 years of revenue raised and dreams made, with $3.5 billion going towards the wilds of Colorado, in the time that the lotto has run. But did you know the CO Lotto’s biggest win of $27 million was won way back in 1992? We think the next big win is due any day now, and you could be the lucky ticket holder.

Conclusion

There you go, that’s a fairly comprehensive look into the Colorado lottery world. There are some spectacular draw games, both regional and national, on offer in this glorious state, as well as some specific Colorado Lottery quirks. As always there are those reliable Scratchers if you need to scratch that itch, and also available in the Centennial State are some pretty fun online games to put a smile on your dial. That’s all folks! Remember to come back here and check this page for the new CO lotto winning numbers, as well as our general American Lottery page for all other states.

Common Questions that People Also Ask

Before you go, there are always some last minute matters that you might’ve missed (or we might’ve!), so keep reading for some of the most common and frequent questions regarding the CO lotto. It never is a bad idea to educate yourself, as an informed bettor is a winning bettor. At least that’s our motto – sometimes it could just be luck!

Which Colorado Lottery has the best odds?

That’s a question that depends on your budget, style, and just plain taste when it comes to playing the Colorado Lotto. In our opinion, the best Colorado Lottery has got to be the one that’s got the most cogs behind the scenes. That’s Colorado Lotto+, purely based on the odds and the fact that there is a random multiplier that can boost your winnings by up to 10 times!

What are the taxes I pay on my Colorado Lottery winnings?

Colorado has a decent state tax, on lottery winnings of only 4.0%. That’s pretty good in comparison to other states such as New York, which have taxes upwards of 10%! Don’t forget however, that there is a federal tax on all lottery winnings, that taxes a huge cut out of your winnings. As much as 37% of your winnings go back to the federal government, which is helpful or corruption, depending on your stance towards big government. It all depends on your income, so make sure you know your tax threshold!

Is the Colorado Lottery online?

Yes! You can find all the information about the Colorado Lottery online, on their website. We’ve listed a link to their website in the history section of our page, so follow the link to get there. They offer some great alternatives to the classic lottery games over on their website, giving you a bit of a reprieve from the sometimes stressful lottery life!

Can Colorado Lottery winners remain anonymous?

Yes and no. As we stated above, winners of the Colorado Lottery cannot remain anonymous according to the state legislation surrounding lottery winnings. Tricky to maneuver, however trust industrious Coloradoans to find a way around it. Turns out you can actually register your lottery winnings under the name of a trust, and circumvent the tricky question of anonymity by having the name of the trust appear on public record, rather than your confidential private details.

Is there a Colorado Lottery app?

Ah yep, there is a CO lotto app, and it’s waiting to be downloaded. Just search Colorado Lottery in your app store and you’ll find it in no time. There you’ll find all the Colorado Lottery winning numbers and results (as well as this page), along with more opportunities to win in the form of bonus draws when you inevitably run into a non-winning ticket from a Draw Game or a Scratcher.

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