A $2 million Powerball prize in Colorado is on the verge of expiring, and lottery officials are urging players to check their tickets before it’s too late.
The winning ticket was purchased for the December 16, 2024, drawing and matched five white balls, securing a $1 million second-tier prize. Thanks to the Power Play option, the prize was doubled to $2 million. However, it remains unclaimed nearly six months later.
The ticket was bought at the Safeway Fuel Mini C-2612 in Aurora, a suburb of Denver. The deadline to claim the prize is Friday, June 14. After that, the money will be returned to the Colorado Lottery’s proceeds fund.
“Colorado has thousands of unclaimed prizes every year,” the lottery stated on its website. “Most are smaller amounts, but for large prizes like this one, we try to alert the media and post on social media to find the rightful winner.”
Colorado law gives winners 180 days from the drawing date to claim their prizes. With that window closing, officials worry the ticket may be lost in a drawer, pocket, or car.
Winners of prizes over $600 can claim them in person, by mail, or online through the state lottery system.
This case adds to a growing list of major unclaimed prizes across the U.S. In Louisiana, a $50,000 Powerball ticket from the same December 16 drawing is also set to expire on June 14. That ticket matched four white balls. The player missed out on doubling the prize by not selecting the Power Play option.
Meanwhile, Illinois officials are still searching for the owner of a $1.1 million Lucky Day Lotto ticket bought in Chicago in September 2024. That prize must be claimed by September 8, 2025.
In contrast, one winner in Minnesota recently came forward. A North 5 ticket worth $276,186 was sold on May 31 at The Corner Store in Inver Grove Heights and has been successfully claimed.
The Colorado Lottery continues to encourage players to check any old tickets and act fast—especially with life-changing sums hanging in the balance.
