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Colorado Poverty Law Project

EIN 47-1066158 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair62 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE COLORADO POVERTY LAW PROJECT'S (CPLP) MISSION IS TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS THROUGH LEGAL REPRESENTATION, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY. WE BELIEVE THAT NO ONE SHOULD BECOME HOMELESS FOR LACK OF ACCESS TO HOUSING JUSTICE.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 93%
Employees
26
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$161,573, 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: 62 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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 (3)
  1. $147,953 spent. LEGAL CLINIC: CPLP HOSTS AN IN-PERSON LEGAL CLINIC IN DENVER COUNTY COURT TWO DAYS A WEEK, ON THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS, IN ROOM 163 FROM 8 A.M. TO 12 P.M. OUR LEGAL CLINIC ASSISTS TENANTS FACING EVICTIONS.
  2. $271,437 spent. MOBILE HOME INITIATIVE: CPLP PROVIDES FREE LEGAL HOUSING GUIDANCE AND REPRESENTATION TO INDIVIDUALS FACING HOUSING INSECURITY, INCLUDING EVICTION LEGAL DEFENSE AND DISCRIMINATION IN HOUSING. CPLP ALSO DOES EXTENSIVE OUTREACH AND EDUCATION FOR BOTH THE COMMUNITY AND ATTORNEYS BY CONDUCTING KNOW-YOUR-RIGHTS TRAININGS AND CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION COURSES TO EDUCATE INDIVIDUALS ABOUT THEIR HOUSING RIGHTS.
  3. $1.4 million spent. HOUSING ADVOCACY: CPLP PROVIDES HOUSING ADVOCACY TO CLIENTS AND PROVIDES EDUCATION AND SUPPORTS ON WRAPAROUND SUPPORT SERVICES WHERE AVAILABLE. CPLP IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING AND SUPPORTING POLICIES TO IMPROVE THE HOUSING SECURITY OF LOW-INCOME COLORADOANS.

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 December 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.