Gov. Polis gives update on scholarship giveaway for COVID-19 vaccines
COLORADO (KRDO) -- Millions of Coloradans are hoping to become a millionaire with the state's new COVID-19 lottery that's not a lottery, but teens who get the vaccine are also getting a shot at a full-ride college scholarship.
Gov. Jared Polis gave an update on how the scholarships will work, and he's also taking questions about the $1 million drawings for eligible vaccinated Coloradans. Watch below:
The first drawing for $1 million happens this Friday, and you had to be eligible by June 1 to make it in time for this week's drawing. There will be four more after this week, and you just have to have at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and have your information accepted by the CIIS by 11:59 p.m. the night before the next drawing.
The first drawing for a scholarship will happen next Monday, and five winners from the 12-17 age group will be selected. A total of 25 winners will get scholarships by the final week.
Polis says money would be deposited into a college invest account. If a 13 or 14-year old wins the $50,000 scholarship the account would appreciate in value over time.
Polis says scholarships aren’t college exclusive. The scholarship funds can be used towards technical programs, credential programs, and a variety of other programs.
At Wednesday's press conference, 13 Investigates asked the governor about the $1 million dollar lottery, and the thousands of people ineligible to win the grand prize.
Gov. Jared Polis' Office contacted 13 Investigates on Friday saying anyone vaccinated through Veterans Affairs is now eligible to win the $1 million prize in the Colorado Cashback Cash sweepstakes.
I asked @jaredpolis if COVID-19 vaccine recipients through the Department of Defense (Ft. Carson soldiers) would be eligible for the state's first drawing of the vaccine lottery and $1 million on Friday. The Governor says they are still working on it: pic.twitter.com/GxXvjGhx8x
— Dan Beedie KRDO (@BeedieonTV) June 2, 2021
However, people who received their vaccine at Fort Carson or anywhere in the state through the Department of Defense, are still ineligible for the vaccine lottery and $1 million.
"Everyone who got vaccinated through the VA is eligible and will be included in the draw," said Governor Jared Polis on Wednesday. "We are continuing to work with the Department of Defense. We want everyone who got vaccinated through DOD to be eligible as soon as (the DOD) provides that information. They'll be eligible for all the drawings that remain."
During Wednesday's press conference, Polis said the vaccination numbers have remained stagnant throughout the past week since he unveiled the Colorado Comeback Cash last week. However, the Colorado governor wasn't anticipating a spike.
"Without this giveaway is a greater rapid drop off in interest. I don't think anyone was expecting a spike," said Gov. Polis. "We were at a high level of vaccination. We wanted to sustain that over time."
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
