Breckenridge History
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Breckenridge History preserves unique historic resources in the Breckenridge area and connects visitors and residents to our past through inspiring interpretation of heritage sites and stories. Operations include an archives facility historical museums interpretive mine sites indoor and outdoor exhibits guided walking tours and preservation of historical assets in the greater Breckenridge area
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 2.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 93%
- Employees
- 35
- Volunteers
- 18
- Highest pay
- $140,000, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (2)
- $881,278 spent. The organization plays a vital role in providing construction and exhibit services for preservation and interpretation projects on historical properties in the Town of Breckenridge Summit County and in collaboration with the US Forest Service. In 2025 significant achievements included the successful completion of multiple stabilization projects such as the Larium Boardinghouse Preston Townsite buildings the Reiling Dredge punt and the Blue River Trestle crossing. Additionally efforts were focused on enhancing displays at the Welcome Center Museum finalizing stabilization at the Jessie Mill site securing a permanent location for the Keystone drill renovating the Lomax Mine exhibit and updating and replacing a number of interpretive signs and completing stabilization studies for future projects.
- $259,387 spent. Operation and promotion of historic properties and programs in the Breckenridge area including: Barney Ford Museum Edwin Carter Museum High Line Railroad Park Welcome Center Museum Lomax Placer Mine Iowa Hill Interpretive Trail Sawmill Museum Milne House Briggle House guided walking tours and hikes childrens programs speaking engagements and other displays.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2007.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.