GRAND JUNCTION — “Have fun.”
That is the plan Colorado’s newest millionaire has when asked Wednesday what he plans to do with a $90 million Powerball jackpot.
Claude “Al” G., who didn’t want to give his last name, said he and his wife, Jackie, will do some traveling. Beyond that, he said he has no plans about what he wants to buy with the largest jackpot in Colorado history.
Al, Jackie and Claude’s mother, Marie, came forward Wednesday to claim the mega fortune he won in Saturday’s drawing.
Looking frightened at the crush of television cameras in a small state-office-building meeting room in Grand Junction, the Colorado native and longtime Rifle resident accepted an oversize cardboard check and introduced himself as “Al.”
He gave very brief answers to questions about how he feels and what he plans to do with the millions.
“I have been waking up since Sunday feeling like this isn’t really real,” said the winner, who was dressed in a black T-shirt with an elk on the front, a pair of jeans and a black baseball cap.
The winning family’s most immediate plan is to take a big vacation. Al admitted he suddenly has a whole lot of new friends in Rifle, where he has lived for 53 years.
Marie, who sat quietly in the glare of television lights during the announcement, said she is “thrilled to death” about the $90 million windfall.
Al and Jackie celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary last week with a trip to Ridgway Reservoir. Their anniversary was a day before the winning numbers were picked and three days after Al’s birthday.
Now, they will take a real second-honeymoon trip. They did not say where they will go.
Al, a tow truck driver, said he might continue to work “to keep from going completely crazy.” Jackie said she doesn’t plan to work anymore.
Al said he woke up Sunday morning to Jackie screaming, ” Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!” as she compared their ticket to the winning numbers.
Jackie and one of the couple’s two daughters purchased the ticket at a Kum & Go using the quick-pick option like they do regularly twice a week. Their numbers were 3-12-31-34-51 and the Powerball of 24. They never had won more than a few bucks before.
Colorado Lottery estimates the cash payout is about $54.9 million, but Al said he has not decided if he will take the cash option or the long-term payout. He said he has hired attorneys to help advise him.
Operators of the Kum & Go in Rifle where the ticket was purchased will get a $50,000 commission.
Nancy Lofholm: 970-256-1957, nlofholm@denverpost.com or twitter.com/nlofholm
