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Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency

EIN 26-2091859 · Durango, CO

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE) serves Southwest Colorado by promoting resource conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy through education and programs that strengthen the local economy and foster a healthy, sustainable environment.

Income
$874,363
Spending
$770,260
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 67%
Employees
9
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$72,979, 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 53% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (4)
  1. $261,975 spent. 4COREs Clean Transportation Program advances zero-emission transportation and electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Southwest Colorado. The program prioritizes disproportionately impacted communities and income-qualified residents those who stand to benefit most from cleaner air, lower fuel costs, and expanded mobility access. Through education, outreach, planning support, and project implementation, 4CORE works alongside residents, businesses, local governments, and rural communities to reduce emissions, improve air quality, and ensure that affordable, sustainable transportation options are within reach for everyone. In 2025, 4CORE supported Community Needs Assessment work in three rural communities by conducting targeted outreach, distributing surveys, and gathering mobility preference data to surface local transportation barriers, resident priorities, and pathways to funding.
  2. $201,494 spent. 4COREs Energy Efficiency Programs help households and businesses reduce energy use, lower utility costs, and improve home comfort, health, and safety. Programs include Colorado Affordable Residential Energy, which provides free energy-saving services to income-qualified households, and Energy Smart Colorado, which offers home energy assessments and guidance on efficiency upgrades. In 2025, 4CORE completed 53 home energy assessments, including 32 for income-qualified households, and served 20 low-income households through direct CARE energy-saving improvements.
  3. $93,305 spent. 4COREs Renewable Energy Programs expand access to clean energy, with a focus on income-qualified households. Through Project SunShare, a partnership with La Plata Electric Association and Shaw Solar, 4CORE supports affordable rooftop solar installations for homeowners facing financial barriers to renewable energy. In 2025, Project SunShare installed 31 kW of rooftop solar across 9 income-qualified households, directly benefiting 19 individuals and helping reduce long-term utility costs while advancing equitable access to renewable energy.
  4. $46,486 spent. 4COREs Green Business Program helps local businesses adopt sustainable practices and achieve Green Business Certification through energy audits, tailored efficiency recommendations, and educational resources. In 2025, the program enrolled 8 additional businesses, bringing total participation to 30 organizations ranging from nonprofits to regional banks. By expanding this network of sustainable enterprises, 4CORE supported regional energy reductions, environmental stewardship, and the long-term viability of Southwest Colorados economy.

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

  1. 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 October 13, 2026.

  2. 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 November 6, 2026.

  3. 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2009.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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 November 4, 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.