Hitting the Lottery

Different states with lotteries use their money in various ways. Here in Tennessee lottery proceeds go to fund college scholarships and soon, a pre-kindergarten program. In Colorado, the money goes for conservation. Among the latest to hit the lottery is Mesa County, in the western part of the state. The Daily Sentinel of Grand Junction details the latest award.
Mesa County received $422,000 from Great Outdoors Colorado for the county’s community-separator program.
The money will be used for conservation easements on 65 acres of working agricultural land in close proximity to other lands already under conservation easements prohibiting their development. Three parcels will be covered under the grant.
The award brings to $3.1 million the amount of Colorado Lottery funds contributed to the community-separator project and was among $3.5 million awarded to projects in western Colorado on Wednesday. Great Outdoors Colorado awarded $8.2 million around the state, bringing the total contributions for fiscal year 2005 to $97 million.
Mesa county isn't the only entity conserving land there. In fact, one of the older trusts in the country is already operating there. The Mesa Land Trust is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Happy birthday.