Colorado to give away five $1M drawings to vaccinated residents

(Alex Wong/Getty Images)

By Steven Bonifazi

(DENVER, Colo.) Coloradans who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be automatically entered to win $1 million from June to July as part of a public health initiative to incentivize vaccinations.

“If you’ve been delaying plans to get vaccinated or still on the fence, now is the time to swing big," Gov. Jared Polis said in a press release Tuesday. "It could transform your life.”

The opportunity to win $1 million comes through Colorado Comeback Cash, a partnered program set in motion by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Colorado Lottery. The winners will be drawn randomly each Friday, with the first drawing taking place June 4 and the last being July 7, Denver7 reports.

In order to qualify, residents need to be at least 18 years old and have had at least one dose of the vaccine by no later than June 1, with the last day to qualify being June 30. Those who are eligible will be automatically entered into the drawing through the state database, Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS).

There will also be a scholarship prize launched sometime this week for residents who are ages 12 through 17.

The funding for the five $1 million drawings comes from The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, but is subject to taxes and will be delivered in the form of a lump-sum payment, according to The Coloradan.

Other states such as Ohio have also taken a similar approach, offering vaccinated residents a chance to win $1 million. According to Polis, Ohio witnessed an increased percentage of double-digits for people receiving the vaccine following the announcement of their lottery.

“May the odds be ever in your favor, Colorado,” said Polis. “Every vaccine works incredibly well, so rather than gamble on getting COVID, let’s take a chance on winning a million dollars.”

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