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Colorado Toy Train Foundation

EIN 82-1484249 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Colorado Toy Train Foundation is dedicated to providing an educational experience to the public, encompassing the history and operation of toy and model trains while promoting the hobby of train collection

Income
$82,186
Spending
$70,214
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
-31.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 55%
Employees
0
Volunteers
42

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: 50 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 54% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 61% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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. $70,214 spent. The O gauge modules are a portable system constructed according to the Lionel Collectors Club of America. The total layout measures 31 x 14 feet and consists of a double oval of track and an operating and operating accessory peninsula. The peninsula contains coal loading and unloading operations, a magnetic gantry crane, a barrel loading operation and a lumber unloading platform with forklift. The modules are set up in our museum periodically. They are also taken to other sites such as: the annual Sherman Hill train show in Cheyenne, Wy., the annual train show in Estes Park, Co., and the Veterans Museum in Broomfield, Co. This serves as outreach for the Foundation. The modules are instructive in how the operating accessories work and operations of the trains. The modules require maintenance continued improvements in landscaping. They are transported via a 16-foot trailer which requires licensing and insurance. All manpower is by volunteers.
  2. Educational symposia are conducted throughout the year. Admission is free to each symposium. Speakers volunteer their time and any objects used in their demonstrations. Some symposia are educational focusing on collecting toy trains, while others are how to programs focusing on skills used in operating or building toy train layouts. Seven educational programs were presented in 2025. They included: Repair & maintenance of post war (manufactured between 1945 and 1969) steam locomotives; 3-D printing of HO gauge building and detailed accessories for a train layout; two sessions on airbrushing techniques and how to apply static grass; and 25 best Lionel Post War train models.
  3. In addition to the O gage modular layout, the museum has an HO operating layout and a Brio layout so the museum has over 100 linear feet of static displays. These displays are changed periodically and are used to demonstrate all gauges from G, standard, O, S, HO, N, and Z. These are displays showing: historical development of steam engines; a wide varity of transformers from 20 watts to 275 watts; the variations of boxes used by Lionel during the postwar period; the changes in O gauge track and in trucks and couplers used on model trains. The displays educate novice as well as the long-time collector of toy and model trains.

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 October 13, 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 2018.

    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 October 21, 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.