Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
One very lucky Powerball player in Colorado may miss out on millions of dollars if they do not come forward soon.
The person who purchased the winning ticket from the Dec. 16, 2024 Powerball drawing has until June 14 to claim the $2 million they won via Power Play, a multiplier applied to any prizes you win apart from the jackpot. Lottery players in Colorado typically have 180 days to claim prizes on winning tickets.
Anyone who matches five numbers, without the Powerball will see their award doubled from $1 million to $2 million, regardless of which Power Play number is selected. According to the Colorado Lottery, the winning ticket was purchased a grocery store gas station in Aurora, a Denver suburb on Dec. 16, 2024.
“Colorado has thousands of unclaimed prizes every year,” the Colorado Lottery writes on its website. “Most of those are smaller prizes like $1 or $2. If we have a larger prize that is about to expire, we will try to alert the media and post on our social media pages to hopefully find the rightful winner.”
Neither the Colorado Lottery nor the Powerball immediately responded to USA TODAY’s request for comment.
How long does the winner have to claim the prize?
The timeframe to claim prizes varies from state to state, but in Colorado, players generally have 180 days to claim prizes on winning tickets. (For Jackpot game tickets, the 180-day clock starts the date of the drawing.)
Any unclaimed prize money goes into the fund for “our proceeds beneficiaries,” according to the Colorado Lottery.
Players can check out the Unclaimed Prize archive on the Colorado Lottery’s website to see if there have been any unredeemed winning Jackpot tickets in their area, or maybe at the retailer they frequent. The Colorado Lottery encourages players “not to wait and to check their tickets soon after purchase.”
Winners of $600 or more, as is this case, can claim their money in three ways:
- Bring your winning ticket and your valid government photo ID to any of our four claims centers during business hours
- Claim your prize by filing an online claim
- Mail your completed Colorado Lottery Prize Claim Form and signed winning ticket to Colorado Lottery, PO BOX 7, Pueblo, CO 81002 (FedEx and UPS users please mail to 225 N Main St, Pueblo, CO 81003). Please allow one to two weeks for processing, and a check will be mailed to you. Incomplete forms may result in a delay.
Colorado Lottery players are encouraged to contact the Lottery at 1-800-999-2959 with any questions or concerns.
Where can I buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
