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Chama Peak Land Alliance

EIN 27-4506183 · Pagosa Spgs, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

" THE CHAMA PEAK LAND ALLIANCE ("THE ALLIANCE") IS A NEW MEXICO NON-PROFIT CORPORATION COMPRISED OF CONSERVATION-MINDED LANDOWNERS WORKING COLLABORATIVELY TO PRACTICE AND PROMOTE SOUND LAND MANAGEMENT IN THE SOUTHERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS OF COLORADO AND NORTHERN NEW MEXICO. THE ALLIANCE IS COMMITTED TO PRACTICING AND PROMOTING CONSERVATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF LAND, WATER, WILDLIFE, AND PEOPLE. THE ALLIANCE ENVISIONS THE WATERSHEDS OF THE SAN JUAN AND RIO CHAMA AS AN INTERCONNECTED SYSTEM THAT THRIVES ON GOOD STEWARDSHIP AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AMONG PRIVATE LANDOWNERS, STATES, TRIBES, AND FEDERAL AGENCIES."

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 88%
Employees
2
Volunteers
34
Highest pay
$110,306, exective dir

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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 54% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (6)
  1. $2.4 million spent. FOREST AND WATERSHED HEALTH: THE ALLIANCE'S FOREST AND WATERSHED HEALTH PROGRAM WORKS TO BUILD RESILIENCY IN THE SAN JUAN-RIO CHAMA WATERSHED REGION THAT SUPPLIES NEARLY HALF OF NEW MEXICO'S DRINKING WATER. ACTIVITIES ARE FOCUSED ON IMPROVING FOREST HEALTH THROUGH FIRE MITIGATION TREATMENTS AND OTHER RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO IMPROVE FOREST HEALTH AND RESILIENCE IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE RISK OF CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRES, WHICH DEGRADE WATER AND SOIL QUALITY, DESTROY PLANT, FISH, AND WILDLIFE HABITAT, AND HARM THE LOCAL FARMING COMMUNITY.
  2. $7,457 spent. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: THE ALLIANCE REGION INCLUDES A RICH HISTORY OF AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES. THE ALLIANCE PROVIDES RESOURCES AND FOSTERS HOLISTIC LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND PROMOTES RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP THROUGH WORKSHOPS, PUBLICATIONS, AND OTHER OUTREACH TO HELP AREA FARMERS AND RANCHERS.
  3. $71,466 spent. EDUCATION AND ECONOMY: THE ALLIANCE'S EDUCATION AND ECONOMY PROGRAM IS FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES THAT BRIDGE TRADITIONAL DIVIDES, PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO ENGAGE DIRECTLY WITH THEIR SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE, AND SUPPORT LOCAL ECONOMIES THROUGH RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE FIREWOOD FOR SENIORS PROGRAM AND LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS.
  4. $20,639 spent. WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES: THE ALLIANCE'S WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES PROGRAM PROMOTES HEALTHY WILDLIFE POPULATIONS, WHICH ARE VITAL TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY. ACTIVITIES ARE FOCUSED ON EXPANDING TROUT, ELK, AND DEER POPULATIONS BY PROTECTING MIGRATION CORRIDORS, CONSERVING CRITICAL HABITAT, AND WORKING COOPERATIVELY WITH LOCAL LANDOWNERS AND REGULATORY AGENCIES. 2025 ACTIVITY SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE & ECONOMY & EDUCATION: CPLA ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND RURAL RESILIENCE THROUGH EDUCATION, RESOURCE SHARING, AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT. CPLA ENGAGED YOUTH THROUGH AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND SCHOLARSHIPS, AMPLIFIED LOCAL AND REGIONAL AG VOICES, CONNECTED PRODUCERS WITH TECHNICAL SUPPORT, AND SHARED TIMELY POLICY UPDATES WITH THE COMMUNITY. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FOREST STEWARDS GUILD AND VARIOUS STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES, CPLA HOSTED THE ANNUAL RIO CHAMA CONGRESO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ON WATERSHED AND FOREST OUTLOOK. THE CPLA CONSERVATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS TO LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES. CPLA'S FIREWOOD FOR SENIORS PROGRAM DISTRIBUTED 146 CORDS OF FIREWOOD TO 144 LOCAL HOUSEHOLDS INCLUDING 20 HOMEBOUND RESIDENTS, COMBINING FOREST RESTORATION WITH COMMUNITY SUPPORT. 20 VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATED IN 17 HOME DELIVERIES AND 10 DISTRIBUTION EVENTS. WITH SUPPORT FROM THE CAROLL PETRIE FOUNDATION, CPLA CONTINUED ITS BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY COMMUNITY EDUCATION ARTICLES AND WORKSHOPS. CPLA ALSO SPONSORED THE 2025 CHAMA CHILE SKI CLASSIC. THE THORNBURG FOUNDATION PROVIDED FUNDING FOR THE THINKING LIKE WATER PUBLIC EDUCATION SERIES.
  5. LINE 4A, CONTINUED: CPLA PARTICIPATES IN THE SAN JUAN HEADWATERS PARTNERSHIP AND THE 2-3-2 COHESIVE STRATEGY PARTNERSHIP IN BUILDING REGIONAL WATER, AGRICULTURE, AND WATER RESILIENCY. THESE PARTNERSHIPS ATTRACT A DIVERSE GROUP OF STAKEHOLDERS AND LAND MANAGERS PROVIDING VALUABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY-DRIVEN STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT TO MEET COMMON GOALS OF WATERSHED PROTECTION, HABITAT CONSERVATION, RURAL ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND RESTORING FOREST HEALTH.
  6. WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES: THE ALLIANCE'S WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES PROGRAM PROMOTES HEALTHY WILDLIFE POPULATIONS, WHICH ARE VITAL TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY. ACTIVITIES ARE FOCUSED ON EXPANDING TROUT, ELK, AND DEER POPULATIONS BY PROTECTING MIGRATION CORRIDORS, CONSERVING CRITICAL HABITAT, AND WORKING COOPERATIVELY WITH LOCAL LANDOWNERS AND REGULATORY AGENCIES. 2025 ACTIVITY SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE & ECONOMY & EDUCATION: CPLA ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND RURAL RESILIENCE THROUGH EDUCATION, RESOURCE SHARING, AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT. CPLA ENGAGED YOUTH THROUGH AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND SCHOLARSHIPS, AMPLIFIED LOCAL AND REGIONAL AG VOICES, CONNECTED PRODUCERS WITH TECHNICAL SUPPORT, AND SHARED TIMELY POLICY UPDATES WITH THE COMMUNITY. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FOREST STEWARDS GUILD AND VARIOUS STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES, CPLA HOSTED THE ANNUAL RIO CHAMA CONGRESO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ON WATERSHED AND FOREST OUTLOOK. THE CPLA CONSERVATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS TO LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES. CPLA'S FIREWOOD FOR SENIORS PROGRAM DISTRIBUTED 146 CORDS OF FIREWOOD TO 144 LOCAL HOUSEHOLDS INCLUDING 20 HOMEBOUND RESIDENTS, COMBINING FOREST RESTORATION WITH COMMUNITY SUPPORT. 20 VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATED IN 17 HOME DELIVERIES AND 10 DISTRIBUTION EVENTS. WITH SUPPORT FROM THE CAROLL PETRIE FOUNDATION, CPLA CONTINUED ITS BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY COMMUNITY EDUCATION ARTICLES AND WORKSHOPS. CPLA ALSO SPONSORED THE 2025 CHAMA CHILE SKI CLASSIC. THE THORNBURG FOUNDATION PROVIDED FUNDING FOR THE THINKING LIKE WATER PUBLIC EDUCATION SERIES.

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 January 2014.

    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.