A woman who lives in a Colorado town with 27 people thought it was a 'scam' when she learned she won $250,000 lottery

• A Colorado woman won a $250K prize from a lottery scratch-off.
• Joanie L thought she was being scammed because she was notified by mail.

A Colorado woman recently won $250,000 from a lottery scratch-off but thought she was scammed after she was notified via mail.

However, Joanie L. was "surprised" to learn it was legitimate when she arrived at a lottery claims center in Fort Collins to collect her prize after winning in the 100X The Cash Bonus Draw, according to a March 10, 2023, Colorado Lottery press release.

A photo posted on Facebook by lottery officials shows the court worker from Cowdrey, Colorado — a town of approximately 27 people located in Jackson County — covering her face with her winning check. In Colorado, lottery winners cannot remain completely anonymous, therefore officials disclose their first name in addition to the initial of their last name.

"Even though she hid her face for photos, she said 'everyone will know," per the press release.

Joanie, a routine lottery player, said the most she had ever won was $500, according to the press release. She plans to start a trust fund with her new fortune. The Colorado Lottery noted that she "is considering buying more alpacas."

According to the lottery website, scratch bonus draws give players with a non-winning ticket another opportunity. In a comment on their Facebook post, officials said they do a bonus draw once a month.

"People are not aware of until we show up to their door with a big check or contact them by phone, email, or certified mail," the comment said.