Colorado Lottery Has Changed Up Lotto

Try not to freak out, but the Colorado Lottery has made its first change to the state Lotto in 30 years. Here's how it now works.

When I heard about the change, I admit, I freaked out a little. I am an avid lotto player; twice a week I stop and get a Lotto quick pick and a Lucky for Lite ticket. Well, now it's going to cost me at least $8 a week instead of $6.

Colorado Lottery's NEW lotto, Lotto Plus costs $2 to play. That's the first thing you need to know. The second thing to know is that our odds just got better. According to The Denver Post, there are now only 40 numbers, down from 42.

If you're a math whiz, you've already calculated in your head that it means our odds are much better now. It used to be 1 in 5.2 million that we'd win the jackpot, now it's only 1 in 3.8 million. So, that's good, right?

Plus (see what I did there?), they'll be using multipliers to all non-jackpot prizes. I'm not exactly sure on how that's going to work. I guess I'll find out with the first drawing. My first Lotto Plus ticket does say that my muliplier is 2.

We do have the OPTION of paying yet ANOTHER dollar for the chance at $250,000 - your numbers and your mulitplier will apply to this 'second chance' drawing. They'll draw for that right after the Lotto Plus drawing. If you do puchaase the 'Plus,' if you do match 3.4 or 5 numbers, the amount you win increases too.

For example - If I match 3 numbers I win $3, if I've purchased 'Plus,' I win $4.  If I match 4, my winnings go from $25 to $30 and with 5 numbers matched I win $300 instead of just $250.

Bottom line- it's now $2, but our odds are better, and there's a $1 optional side-bet for $250,000. The Lotto Plus jackpot will start at $1.3M with Wednesday's (Sept 25) drawing.

Another thing. If you have an 'old' lotto ticket from before Sunday, September 22, nobody can scan it, since the machines are all now switched to Lotto Plus. If the ticket I had WAS a winner (nope) I'd have to go to a lotto office- like at the Driver's License Bureau.

Nobody loves change. I went into the convenience store down the street for the station inquiring about Lotto Plus, and the person behind the counter said that a man 'totally freaked out' on her the other day when she told him it is now $2.

So, try not to freak out.

Get more on the change from The Denver Post HERE.