DENVER — For the fifth and final time, Governor Jared Polis presented a check for $1 million to a vaccinated Coloradan.
Heidi Russell was the final winner of the Colorado Comeback Cash drawing, a program designed to incentivize Coloradans to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We are just very grateful for the brilliant minds of scientists, researchers, manufacturers, [and] government leaders that have enabled this vaccine to come to fruition,” said Russell, a mother of four who works at her husband’s oral and facial surgery practice.
“To create a safe and effective vaccine in less than a year is a miracle,” she added.
Russell was able to receive her vaccine in February due to the nature of her work.
In total, five Coloradans won $1 million each. The previous winners were:
Russell, who only found out she won about 24 hours before speaking at the governor’s press conference, said her daughter’s immediate reaction was, “yes, my college is paid for.”
Russell said that while $1 million will certainly help with raising her four children, she intends to use some of the money to help the less fortunate.
You can watch the governor’s full press conference below:
