FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions - Lotto

Lotto

• What are the odds in Lotto?
• How can I find winning Lotto numbers?
• When can I buy Lotto tickets?
• Are subscriptions available for Lotto?
• What is Advance Play
• How are Lotto drawings held?
• Where do I find Lotto prize payouts?
• What is the starting jackpot for Lotto?
• Why doesn't the Lottery pay out more for smaller prizes in Lotto drawings?

What are the odds in Lotto?

The odds of winning the Lotto jackpot are 1:5,245,786. The odds of winning any prize are 1:35. You can find more information on our Web site here: http://www.coloradolottery.com/index.cfm/ID/36/Colorado-Lottery---How-to-Play-Lotto/

How can I find winning Lotto numbers?

1.  Current winning numbers and access to past winning numbers can be found on the home page of the site (http://www.coloradolottery.com).
2.  MyLottery members can have winning numbers sent to them by email or text message.  Click here to join MyLottery now.
3.  Lottery results are also publicized by most television stations and daily newspapers. 
4.  Lottery retailers can print winning numbers reports for current and past drawing dates.  

When can I buy Lotto tickets?

Lotto tickets are available for purchase at 4:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday. They are suspended at 11:59 p.m. for system balancing.

On Wednesday and Saturday drawing nights, sales are suspended at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased on Wednesday and Saturday drawing nights after the game balances and drawing has been certified until 11:59 p.m.  

Are subscriptions available for Lotto?

The Colorado Lottery currently does not offer an online or mail-in subscription service to our Jackpot games: Powerball, Lotto and Cash 5. We do, however, offer the option to purchase Advance Play through our retailers. Simply complete a play slip for the boards you'd like to play (numbers you'd like to play per draw), and then check the Advance Play box on the edge of the play slip. The retailer will ask you how many draws (game drawings) you'd like to play, and charge you accordingly. You can also select Advance Play for your Quick Picks. Just tell the clerk how many drawings you'd like to purchase. You can play up to 26 draws for Powerball and Lotto, and up to 78 draws for Cash 5 (13 weeks).

The Colorado Lottery recently conducted a market test to determine the viability of an online subscription program. We are reviewing the information gathered to determine whether or not this is a program we should pursue.

What is Advance Play

Advance Play allows you to purchase up to 13 weeks of tickets at one time (that's 26 draws for Powerball and Lotto, and 78 draws for Cash 5). The same numbers will be used for the entire time. You can either save your ticket until the end and collect all of your winnings at once, or collect your winnings as you go along. If you choose to collect your winnings as you play, be sure you get a replacement ticket. Advance Play is available at Lottery retail locations throughout Colorado.  

How are Lotto drawings held?

Lotto winning numbers are picked by a stand-alone computer (a computer that is not connected to any network) that is locked in a secure room in a building located some distance away from the Lottery offices. The numbers are drawn using a random number generator based on quantum vision technology. Quantum vision technology basically means the computers use decaying radiation as part of the random generation process instead of a computer chip. For each Lotto drawing, two “test” drawings are held to ensure everything is in working order. After the two test drawings, the real drawing is held and the numbers entered into the Lottery’s system, which runs the numbers selected by the computer against all of the tickets purchased to determine if there is a winner. In order to ensure the integrity of each drawing, an employee of an independent certified public accounting firm (auditor), and a member of the Lottery’s security team are present for the entire process. In addition, an independent company, Gaming Laboratories (GLI), performs audits and test drawings to ensure everything is working properly and the games are fair.

You are welcome to witness a drawing to see how it is done. If you would like to set up a time to witness a drawing, or would like more detailed information about random number generation or quantum vision technology, please contact Mari Boyd at 719-546-5318.

Where do I find Lotto prize payouts?

Click here for Lotto payout information.

What is the starting jackpot for Lotto?

The Lotto jackpot usually starts at $1 million and increases after each drawing, until a ticket matches all 6 numbers drawn.

Why doesn't the Lottery pay out more for smaller prizes in Lotto drawings?

Research shows players want a growing Lotto jackpot, therefore Lotto jackpots increase according to ticket sales. All Lotto games are traditionally driven by jackpot size and not the size of the smaller prizes. It is for this reason that we offer Cash 5, which has more mid-range prizes.