Mega Millions reaching record high: Where does the money go?

Are you feeling lucky? The Mega Millions Jackpot is now the second largest in history — $970 million.

The drawing is just over 24 hours away and while you’re dreaming about all the possibilities if you win, the state of Colorado is already cashing in.

Which poses the question — where does that money go?

For people in Colorado, it’s easy to think of reasons why it’s the best place to live.

“The mountains, they’re awesome.”

“The scenery, but more than that there’s just a lot more fish.”

“The air probably. It’s always quiet out there, I think that’s my favorite part about it.”

“The outdoors, activities, hunting, fishing.”

It may be because, over the past 35 years, the Colorado lottery has invested $3.1 billion dollars into Colorado’s wilderness.

In fact, 50 percent goes to the Great Outdoors Colorado, 40 percent goes the Conservation Trust Fund, and 10 percent goes to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Money Area Wildlife Manager, Frank McGee, says they may not get otherwise.

“We’re not funded by the general fund so people’s property taxes and income taxes do not come to Colorado Parks and Wildlife so we’re largely funded by user fees which is the sale of hunting and fishing license park passes campground fees,” he said.

So when you buy your ticket, you’re helping fund parks like Red Rock Open Space.

That makes Colorado’s lottery different than any others in the U.S.

In most states, revenue goes toward education.

And while most of our goes to parks, trails and open spaces, Jennifer Churchill with the Colorado state lottery says some of it also goes to schools and children.

“We have a cap basically on the money that goes towards the Great Outdoors Colorado and so once we reach that cap, any additional money or overflow goes to the Best Capital Construction fund and that’s the Department of Education,” she said.

So while people try to test their luck in Friday’s drawing, they’re already benefiting from the revenue.

The lottery distributed $1 billion last year to all three partners.