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Vendor defends perks for Colorado lottery workersNews Story
The company that makes scratch-game tickets for the Colorado Lottery defended Friday its purchase of trips and entertainment for Lottery employees.In fact, Scientific Games is required to pay for those items under the terms of its contract with the Colorado Lottery, said company spokesman Martin Schloss.The Colorado Lottery has been under a cloud since the Dec. 1 release of a state audit that found the agency had excessive expenses and questionable accounting practices. Questions also have been
Dec 22, 2003, 6:01 am - Lottery News

Computers seized in Lottery investigationNews Story
Agents from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation seized computers from the state Lottery office this week, as part of a larger investigation into the Lottery.Investigators with CBI and the Arapahoe County District Attorney's Office took computers out of the building on Colorado Boulevard, as well as the Lottery headquarters in Pueblo earlier this week.They say they are reviewing numerous issues having to do with the lottery. This criminal investigation comes after the Department of Revenue had a
Dec 19, 2003, 3:14 am - Lottery News

Colorado lottery woes will be fixed, says state revenue directorNews Story
Colorado Revenue Director M. Michael Cooke on Tuesday pledged to fix Lottery management problems found by state auditors.Cooke's department includes the Colorado Lottery, where Mark Zamarripa resigned as director on Nov. 12, just hours before he was to meet with Cooke to discuss travel expenses questioned by state auditors. I think it's fair to say I'm continuing to look at expenses and other issues in the Lottery that have given me cause for concern, Cooke said. We want to change some of the
Dec 17, 2003, 4:35 am - Lottery News

Lottery pays off for poor kidsNews Story
Children in one of Denver's oldest and poorest neighborhoods are getting a new playground, thanks in part to Great Outdoors Colorado. This project is very near and dear to the hearts of people who live in the Swansea neighborhood, said City Councilwoman Judy Montero, who represents the community. People have been working on this project since 1995. The GOCO board announced Monday it will award $200,000 toward the $427,000, two-acre playground and park, which is to be completed in about a year.
Dec 9, 2003, 4:53 am - Lottery News

Colorado Lottery to hire new Director from withinNews Story
The Colorado Lottery's search for a new director will be an in-house effort among state employees.The state does not envision the need to hire outside of government or outside of Colorado, said Diane Reimer, spokesman for Michael Cooke, director of the Department of Revenue. The department oversees the lottery. We are confident of finding somebody within state government, Reimer said Tuesday. We hope to have someone on board by the end of December. The new director will oversee an agency that
Dec 4, 2003, 6:02 am - Lottery News

Colorado lottery audit unveils woesNews Story
Report: Abuse of perks cuts into proceeds for open spaceState auditors released a report Monday on the Colorado Lottery, finding that its sales may be hitting a ceiling and that profits that should be going to parks and open space are being eaten up by increased prizes used to try to attract more players.The audit also unearthed a series of deep-seated problems in how the lottery monitors company-cellphone usage, its fleet of 55 vehicles and a gravy train of employee bonuses.Those costs also e
Dec 2, 2003, 4:10 am - Lottery News

Audit of Colorado lottery to be released todayNews Story
Intensive review examines overall performanceAn audit of the Colorado Lottery is scheduled to be unveiled today, capping an extensive review that focused on its overall performance.As part of their focus, state auditors centered on contract management, lottery records show.Specifically, auditors inquired about Scientific Games International, the company that recently won the multimillion-dollar contract to run Powerball, Lotto and Cash 5 games. The Georgia-based company runs the lottery's scratc
Dec 1, 2003, 5:19 am - Lottery News

Colorado Lottery Director Takes Early RetirementNews Story
Mark Zamarripa Says Ten Years At The Helm Is EnoughThe director of the Colorado Lottery has retired.Mark Zamarripa said he chose to take advantage of a state personnel program, which allows early retirement with reduced benefits.Zamarrippa has worked for the Colorado Lottery for more than 21 years, serving as its director for the last ten.The Pueblo resident says he plans to travel and catch up on projects at home between now and the end of the year and then assess future options.
Nov 19, 2003, 5:06 am - Lottery News

Lottery fund may face changesNews Story
Two powerful Colorado legislators said they will push for changes in the state's management of the Conservation Trust Fund, a $43 million pot of lottery profits that is supposed to pay for parks and recreation.Meanwhile, the state auditor said Tuesday that she is moving forward with an audit of the fund. The auditor, Joanne Hill, may propose additional changes as early as January.Stories in The Denver Post on Nov. 9 and 10 outlined how the two chief pools of lottery profits that voters said must
Nov 19, 2003, 4:42 am - Lottery News

Lottery funds misusedNews Story
Records show proceeds spent in ways not endorsed by votersA multimillion-dollar state lottery fund that is supposed to pay for parks and recreation is being used for everything from cellphone bills to air conditioners and Christmas parades.The Conservation Trust Fund is a $43 million pool of lottery profits that, according to state law, is to be given to local governments and used only for the acquisition, development and maintenance of new conservation sites or for capital improvements or main
Nov 10, 2003, 5:02 am - Lottery News