GRAND JUNCTION – A newspaper error almost cost Debra Revis $4.2 million. Revis, who purchased a Lotto ticket for the July 4th drawing, checked her numbers in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel the following day and saw that she matched five of six numbers. Disappointed that she’d come so close to winning, Revis called her son, who looked at the Colorado Lottery’s Web site to determine if matching five numbers qualified his mother for a prize. Instead, he realized the newspaper had printed an incorrect number.
“He said, ‘Mom, you got the ticket. The newspaper has a misprint!’” recalled Revis. “So, I went to the store to check it again. I was in disbelief. I don’t think any of us slept that night.”
On Tuesday, Revis claimed her prize at the Lottery’s Grand Junction office, choosing to receive her $4.2 million jackpot in cash – a prize worth $2.1 million before taxes. The hotel manager, who is married with one adult son, doesn’t have any immediate plans for her windfall.
“We’re going to let it sink in and just take it slow,” said Revis, who plans to continue working. “Maybe someday we can retire comfortably.”
A casual player of Colorado Lottery games, Revis’ largest prize previously was $2 she’d won on a Scratch ticket. Her lucky ticket was a Quick Pick, purchased in Palisade, where she lives. Revis said she will continue to play Lottery games.
