$90M Colorado Powerball winner claims prize

Aug 14, 2014, 9:18 am (29 comments)

Powerball

Includes video report

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The winner of the largest lottery jackpot in Colorado history claimed his prize in Grand Junction on Wednesday afternoon.

Claude "Al" G., who didn't want to give his last name, said he and his wife, Jackie, will do some traveling. Beyond that, he said he has no plans about what he wants to buy with the largest jackpot in Colorado history.

In fact, "Have fun" is what Al said his plan was when asked Wednesday what he plans to do with the $90 million Powerball jackpot.

Al, Jackie and Claude's mother, Marie, came forward Wednesday to claim the mega fortune he won in Saturday's drawing.

Looking frightened at the crush of television cameras in a small state-office-building meeting room in Grand Junction, the Colorado native and longtime Rifle resident accepted an oversize cardboard check and introduced himself as "Al."

He gave very brief answers to questions about how he feels and what he plans to do with the millions.

"I have been waking up since Sunday feeling like this isn't really real," said the winner, who was dressed in a black T-shirt with an elk on the front, a pair of jeans and a black baseball cap.

The winning family's most immediate plan is to take a big vacation. Al admitted he suddenly has a whole lot of new friends in Rifle, where he has lived for 53 years.

Marie, who sat quietly in the glare of television lights during the announcement, said she is "thrilled to death" about the $90 million windfall.

Al and Jackie celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary last week with a trip to Ridgway Reservoir. Their anniversary was a day before the winning numbers were picked and three days after Al's birthday.

Now, they will take a real second-honeymoon trip. They did not say where they will go.

Al, a tow truck driver, said he might continue to work "to keep from going completely crazy." Jackie said she doesn't plan to work anymore.

Al said he woke up Sunday morning to Jackie screaming, "Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!" as she compared their ticket to the winning numbers.

Jackie and one of the couple's two daughters purchased the ticket at a Kum & Go using the quick-pick option like they do regularly twice a week. Their numbers were 3, 12, 31, 34, and 51, with Powerball number 24. They never had won more than a few bucks before.

Colorado Lottery estimates the cash payout is about $54.9 million, but Al said he has not decided if he will take the cash option or the long-term payout. He said he has hired attorneys to help advise him.

Operators of the Kum & Go in Rifle where the ticket was purchased will get a $50,000 commission.

Previous big winners

Before this, the largest Powerball jackpot won in Colorado was $20 million in 2007. It was claimed by two couples under the name of SEEP Financial. The winners were originally from Poland and legally immigrated to the United States from Germany. They had lived in Colorado for five years before they won Powerball.

The largest jackpot in Colorado Lottery history was $27 million won in the state lotto by Kim Walker, of Boulder, in 1992. She moved to Steamboat Springs and has devoted much of her time to teaching youths how to figure skate.

VIDEO: Watch the news report

News story photo(Click to display full-size in gallery)

Denver Post, Lottery Post Staff

Comments

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

I hope they spend wisely

Thinking of...

TNPATL

Congratulations to the winner.  Now change your phone number, and move!!!  LOL  Hurray!

Saylorgirl's avatarSaylorgirl

Congratulations to Al, Jackie and family!  May you enjoy your new found wealth.

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Congratulations to the winner. 

With so many members saying they can't get excited about a lottery jackpot under $200M, I'm always surprised when I hear of a state where the largest lottery jackpot ever won is less than $100M.  When it's in your hands, a million dollar jackpot is exciting.

rcbbuckeye's avatarrcbbuckeye

Quote: Originally posted by RJOh on Aug 14, 2014

Congratulations to the winner. 

With so many members saying they can't get excited about a lottery jackpot under $200M, I'm always surprised when I hear of a state where the largest lottery jackpot ever won is less than $100M.  When it's in your hands, a million dollar jackpot is exciting.

I would be exceedingly happy with a million dollar prize.

That's why I play every MM and PB draw.

IPlayWeekly's avatarIPlayWeekly

Great win... That's why I play every drawing, you never know when your numbers will come in.

user71926's avataruser71926

CONGRATULATIONS!   LOVE HEARING WINNER STORIES!

noise-gate

Congratulations to the Winners!

l like Jackie's approach- saying Nothing, probably thinking about that vacation that is in the works....quitting her job as well.

Claude says his "thinking about sticking around with his job"...right. Just you wait until winter sets in and he decides that he needs to get up at 4.00am to go pull out some poor sucker whose broken down in the snow Jackie asks him " Why in the heck are you leaving the confines of this warm bed ?" Yeah Al. .. Why?

Babes333's avatarBabes333

What a great win ...liquid for life congradulations and good luck;)

Piaceri

Yay! Congrats! 

 

Party

Goon

I'm still not playing the PB or MM, with those odds its guaranteed there's gonna be a lot more losersDance

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Congratulations Winners Party

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by hearsetrax on Aug 14, 2014

I hope they spend wisely

Thinking of...

I Agree!

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Quote: Originally posted by Goon on Aug 14, 2014

I'm still not playing the PB or MM, with those odds its guaranteed there's gonna be a lot more losersDance

Take the box

 

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