Lottery funds build great things!
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.
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).
Submissions include programs and projects such as, but not limited to: parks, playgrounds, outdoor recreation centers, outdoor educations programs, land conservation, trail enhancement, open space acquisition, wildlife natural resource preservation, and public school improvements, and so much more!
2024 Starburst Award Winners
- Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area – AHRA Rec Ranger Program - $23,768 (GOCO)
- Town of Castle Rock & Meadows Metropolitan District No. 1 (Castle Rock) - Butterfield Crossing and Possibilities Playground - $421,196 (CTF)
- City of Colorado Springs – Panorama Park - $350,000 (GOCO)
- Crown Mountain Park & Recreation District - Crown Mountain Bike Park - $239,783 (GOCO $168,091, CTF $71,692)
- The Town of La Junta - Brick and Tile Park - $2,702,796 (GOCO $350,000 CTF $84,017)
- Town of Erie – Coal Creek Park - $555,596 (GOCO)
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife – Winter Wildlife Conservation Initiative (WWCI) - $32,500 (GOCO)
- The Town of Castle Rock - Colorado Front Range Trail (CFRT) - $2,000,000 (GOCO)
- Vibe Tribe Adventures - Black Girls Hike, Urban Trekker, and American Adventure Sports Club - $65,000 (OEGP)
- Larimer County Conservation Corps - Elkhorn Creek Forest Health Initiative - $65,275 (GOCO)
- Great Outdoors Colorado & National Fish & Wildlife Foundation - RESTORE Colorado - $1 million annual/$4.5 million to-date (GOCO)
- Hinsdale County - Lake San Cristobal Island Acquisition - $1,305,464 (GOCO)
- Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust - Delhi Ranch Conservation Easement - (GOCO)
People’s Choice Starburst Award Winner: Panorama Park, Colorado Springs
Panorama Park in Colorado Springs won the first annual People’s Choice Starburst Award! This contest invited players, partners, municipalities, and the public to vote for their favorite Starburst Award project. With over 16,000 votes cast, the top three winners are:
- Panorama Park
- Lake San Cristobal Island
- GOCO’s RESTORE Colorado initiative
2024 Starburst Award Winners
Congratulations to the 2024 Starburst Award Winners! Thank you for putting Lottery dollars to work for every Coloradan.