Colorado’s veterans are pushing for creation of a scratch lottery ticket they hope will raise money for members, but the idea has generated criticism on several fronts.
The state Constitution already dictates how lottery proceeds are distributed so voters would have to approve a measure to create a lottery for veterans, said Sen. Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora.
“We have a severe need for veterans and the four top areas are jobs, homelessness, mental health and suicide prevention,” she said.
Ralph Bozella, president of United Veterans Committee of Colorado, said he doesn’t play lottery but he would buy a scratch ticket to help veterans and he thinks others will too “knowing our money will fund a very worthy cause.”
As the name implies, customers scratch the surface of a ticket to find symbols or numbers or such. A winning combination yields a prize.
Williams and three other lawmakers are expected to introduce their veterans bill next month, but need to line up two-thirds of their colleagues to put the issue on the November ballot.
Williams acknowledged that’s a tough task, given the criticism of the proposal.
Lottery proceeds now go to open space, wildlife, trails, conservation and similar outdoor ventures, and there is a fear that approving the veterans’ ticket will start a wave of siphoning off money for other special causes.
Local communities use lottery money such things as recreation equipment, land acquisition for parks and facility maintenance.
“We rely on it,” said Routt County Commissioner Doug Monger.
Others agree there is a need to help veterans, but question whether the state should turn to gambling.
“It pains me that we have to sink to the point of selling a lottery ticket to support our veterans in the manner they should be supported,” said Rep. Kathleen Conti, R-Littleton. “I believe it is a core function of our federal government.”
Rep. Robert Ramirez, R-Westminster, said therein lies the problem.
“The federal government is not taking care of our veterans, and they’re not taking care of our current servicemen,” he said. “I just can’t sit back and say, ‘It’s not my responsibility.’ These are our veterans. They served our country.”
In addition to Ramirez and Williams, Rep. Nancy Todd, D-Aurora, and Sen. Steve King, R-Grand Junction, are sponsoring the measure.
Under their bill, the Colorado lottery would oversee ticket sales and promotion, while the Department of Military Affairs would handle the distribution of funds.
Colorado last year sold $345 million worth of scratch tickets, which range in price from $1 to $20, said Heather Black, spokeswoman for the Colorado Lottery.
The most popular game is 7-11-21, where a buyer scratches the surface of a ticket to reveal a series of numbers. If they add up to seven, 11 or 21, the buyer wins; the prize amount is revealed by scratching another part of the ticket.
Because the details of the veterans measure are still being worked out, supporters said it’s too early to say how much the veterans ticket would cost, the amount of the highest payout or the design.
Lynn Bartels: 303-954-5327 or lbartels@denverpost.com
How lottery proceeds are distributed
62 percent — Prize payouts
23.5 percent — Goes to designated beneficiaries
7.5 percent — Commissions to retailers
7 percent — Covers administrative costs
Lottery beneficiaries,
50 percent — Great Outdoors Colorado, which uses the money to preserve, protect and enhance Colorado’s wildlife, parks, rivers, trails and open space. Any amount collected above a certain cap goes to the Colorado Department of Education’s capital construction fund. Last year COGO received $56 million, CDE got $662,230.
40 percent — Colorado Department of Local Affairs for the Conservation Trust Fund, which distributes money to cities, counties and special districts for various purposes, including land acquisition, equipment purchases and building renovation; $45.3 million.
10 percent — Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which uses the money for various purposes including trail construction and maintenance and park maintenance; $11.3 million
Source: Colorado Lottery
