Child psychologist wins penultimate million-dollar vaccination prize

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DENVER — There is only one chance left for a fully vaccinated Coloradan to win the state’s vaccine’s drawing.

In a June 25 press conference, Governor Jared Polis introduced the fourth of five winners of the $1 million “Colorado Comeback Cash” vaccination prize, as well as the next round of $50,000 scholarship winners.

Read about the previous winners here.

The penultimate winner is Stephanie Sharp of Douglas County. Sharp is a child psychologist who has a private practice. She also works in the rehab department of the Children's Hospital. Her husband, Craig, is a nurse at the VA.

Sharp, the second winner named Stephanie, was visiting her father in rural Pennsylvania during the press conference, so she was introduced over Zoom. It was the first time seeing her father, who is battling cancer, since she was able to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Inspired by her son, Sharp said she planned to use some of her prize money to support causes that “perpetuate goodness.”

You can watch the full press conference below.

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Friday's press conference was also notable due to the fact that one of the scholarship winners is 12 years old, the youngest winner so far. The winner, Liza, said her dream was to be a professional soccer player, but that she will use this scholarship money to study international business in college.

Polis noted that for Liza, who won't be attending college for about six years, the $50,000 scholarship will appreciate in value, possibly up to about $70,000.

The latest numbers from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment show that nearly 3.2 million Coloradans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine; about 2.9 million are fully vaccinated. More data, including county-by-county vaccination rates, are available here.

Over 69% of Coloradans ages 18 and up are vaccinated, Polis said.

The final million-dollar winner will be announced Wednesday, July 7.


Kyle Cooke is the Digital Media Manager for Rocky Mountain PBS. You can reach him at kylecooke@rmpbs.org or on Twitter at @KyleACooke.