ALBUQUERQUE – Jose Ortiz of Raton claimed a $30,000 prize playing the New Mexico Lottery’s “Bonus Word Crossword” Scratcher. He came to lottery headquarters in Albuquerque on Monday with his wife, Louise (left), and daughter Johanna Schenk (right).
“I couldn’t believe it,” Ortiz said of his five-figure windfall. “Just for going in and buying a ticket.”
Above: Jose Ortiz, winner of “Bonus Word Crossword” Scratcher
Ortiz, a great grandfather who said he plans to save his prize “for the future,” bought his $3 lucky ticket at Sav-O-Mat No. 9 located at 745 S. 2nd St. in Raton.
Earlier in the month, Raton resident Rhonda Gonzales won a $2,000 Scratcher prize.
Legislative Lottery Scholarships
Since its inception in April 1996, the lottery has raised $563 million for education and more than 82,600 students have attended college on Legislative Lottery Scholarships.
In the past 17 years, 450 students from Colfax County have received $2.4 million in Legislative Lottery Scholarships.
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