First find a LICENSED C.P.A. to help you decide if you should take a cash pay-out or annuity payments. (Remember, if you die, annuity payments are turned over to your estate.)

You can find an accountant through:
COLORADO STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY
1560 BROADWAY, SUITE 1340
DENVER, CO 80202
(303) 894-7800
(303) 894-7802 (FAX)
(303) 894-7880 V/TDD
Or go online to http://www.dora.state.co.us/Accountants, the Web site for the Colorado Board of Accountancy

Then contact the folks at Colorado Powerball Headquarters:
(719) 546-2400

Be prepared to spend a night or two at the Loews Denver Hotel -- 4150 East Mississippi Avenue in Denver. The hotel will make accommodations for any family members that might tag along. Powerball will pick up the tab.

Then you might contact a financial planner -- someone who can help you decide if you should invest, buy real estate, or bank your money.

To see the 10 questions you should ask before you hire a financial planner, check out http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/money/financial-planner/10questions.html, tips provided by the Federal Consumer Information Center.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards
1700 Broadway, Suite 2100
Denver, CO 80290-2101
888-CFP-MARK (888.237.6275)
Fax: 303-860-7388
Web: www.cfp-board.org

If you decide you want to buy real estate, you can find a Colorado Realtor through this Web site: http://www.colorealtor.org/public_boards.htm.

Good luck, and if you win contact CALL 7 FOR HELP.

303-83-CALL 7 OR 303-832-2557.