Are You a Winner?
Colorado Lottery players have 180 days to claim prizes on winning tickets.
Winners of $599 or Less
Check with your local retailer to see if they’ll award you your prize, or mail your signed winning ticket to Colorado Lottery, PO BOX 7, Pueblo, CO 81002. Please allow one to two weeks for processing, and a check will be mailed to you. You have 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim winning Jackpot tickets and 180 days from the end of the Scratch ticket game to claim winnings.
Winners of $600 or More
You have three options to claim your prize of $600 or more:
- Bring your winning ticket and your valid government photo ID to any of our four claims centers during business hours.
- Claim your prize online by following the instructions on the right panel of this webpage
- Mail your completed Colorado Lottery Prize Claim Form and signed winning ticket to Colorado Lottery, PO BOX 7, Pueblo, CO 81002. Please allow one to two weeks for processing, and a check will be mailed to you. Incomplete forms may result in a delay.
If you have any questions, please contact 1-800-999-2959.
Did You Win Big?
The following information is provided to help you plan how you'll manage your new fortune.
Deductions for Prizes $5,001 or More
28 percent will be withheld from your prize for taxes (24% federal; 4% state).
34 percent will be withheld from your prize for taxes (30% federal; 4% state) if you do not provide a Social Security Number.
Cash or Annuity?
Seek Financial Advice
If you win a large prize amount, we suggest that you take some time and explore your financial options. Seek out reputable financial experts, and ask a lot of questions.
What is an annuity and how does it work?
An annuity is a series of fixed payments or graduated payments paid out over a specified period. A jackpot winner will be paid the full estimated prize amount over a period of time that is determined by the game won (read on for more details).
What's the cash value of a prize?
The cash value of the jackpot is approximately 50 percent of the advertised, estimated jackpot.
Games Eligible for Annuity Payments and Payouts
Powerball
The customer has 60 days after ticket validation to determine the payment selection of cash vs. annuity. Cash and/or the first annuity payment is paid out no earlier than fifteen (15) calendar days of ticket validation. If Annuity is selected it will be paid in 30 graduated payments. Annuity payments will be made annually close to the anniversary date of the claim.
Mega Millions
The customer has 60 days after ticket validation to determine the payment selection of cash vs. annuity. Cash can be paid on the day of validation. Annuity is paid in 30 graduated payments with the first payment being made on the date of ticket validation. Subsequent annuity payments will be made annually close to the anniversary date of the claim.
Colorado Lotto+
The customer has the choice of cash vs. annuity. Cash is paid on the day of validation. An annuity will be paid in 25 annual installments with the first annuity payment being 2.5% of the jackpot share. Following annuity payments will increase each year until the entire amount is paid. The customer has 60 days after ticket validation to change the selection from the annuity option to the cash option.
Lucky for Life
The customer has the choice of cash vs. annuity for the top prize and second prize. Cash will be paid no sooner than twenty (20) business days but no later than 60 days after ticket validation. If annuity is selected, the initial payment will be made at the time of the claim. All subsequent payments will be made according to such schedule of payments set at the discretion of the Lottery for the winner's life, for a minimum of twenty years.
What's the best way to share a prize?
One person designated as the prize recipient, signs the winning ticket, and distributes the money.
Where will you put your money?
There are FDIC regulations that need to be considered when depositing large sums of money. Contact your financial institution for more information.
Come Prepared
Complete the Colorado Lottery Prize Claim Form. You’ll have to complete additional forms provided by the Colorado Lottery.
Only one person can be designated as the prize recipient and that person must sign the winning ticket. If sharing the tax liability with others, it is the responsibility of the ticket bearer and signee to distribute the winnings to the other parties.
Bring a photo I.D. and your Social Security number, if you have one. Acceptable identification includes: driver’s license, passport, military ID card, green card – or any form of government-issued identification with photo.
Call ahead to the Lottery Claims Center at 800-999-2959 and let us know when you’ll be coming in to claim the jackpot.
What can you expect when you win the jackpot?
As part of the Colorado Open Records Act, we are required to release to the public your first name and last initial, hometown, amount you won and the game you played. This information will be posted on coloradolottery.com and will be provided to the media upon request. Having your photo taken is optional.
You will be interviewed by the Colorado Lottery Media Relations team and a press release will be distributed to local media outlets. You may also be asked to participate in a press conference to answer questions directly from reporters. Our Media Relations team will work closely with you to ensure your comfort with the process.
You’ll be asked to have your picture taken which will appear on our “Wall of Winners,” in-store Lottery display monitors, our website, and our Facebook and Twitter social media outlets.