Childrens Hospital Colorado
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN THROUGH THE PROVISION OF HIGH-QUALITY, COORDINATED PROGRAMS OF PATIENT CARE, EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY.
- Income
- $2.0 billion
- Spending
- $2.0 billion
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- -0.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 98%
- Employees
- 11,403
- Volunteers
- 3,348
- Highest pay
- $4.3 million, chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 42% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2530 of 31 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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, 2024, 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 (1)
- $1.7 billion spent. ROUTINE INPATIENT SERVICES; ANCILLARY INPATIENT SERVICES SUCH AS LAB, RADIOLOGY, OPERATING ROOM, RECOVERY ROOM, CENTRAL SUPPLIES, ETC.; OUTPATIENT SERVICES SUCH AS EMERGENCY ROOM, MULTI-SPECIALTY AMBULATORY SERVICES INCLUDING ORTHO CLINIC, ONCOLOGY CLINIC, ETC. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. HEART INSTITUTE COMMUNITY REPORT The Heart Institute at Children's Hospital Colorado (CHCO) has been a national leader in the diagnosis, treatment, and lifelong care of infants, children, and young adults with congenital and acquired heart disease. As one of the most comprehensive pediatric cardiovascular centers in the country, the Heart Institute delivers care across the full continuum-from fetal diagnosis to transplant and adult congenital cardiology. With more than 22,000 outpatient visits and over 2,600 inpatient encounters in 2024, the Heart Institute is among the highest-volume pediatric heart centers in the region. Our multidisciplinary model brings together cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, critical care physicians, anesthesiologists, nurse practitioners, nurses, sonographers, ECMO specialists, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, psychologists, and social workers to care for some of the most complex cardiovascular conditions seen in children today. Volumes and Outcomes That Matter High volumes support our ability to deliver excellent outcomes. In 2024, the Heart Institute achieved: * 798 open-heart surgeries * 1,273 cardiac catheterizations, including electrophysiology procedures * 32,049 echocardiograms * 2,617 inpatient encounters (up from 2,369 in 2023) * 22,462 outpatient visits (up from 21,620 in 2023) Outcomes consistently exceed national benchmarks: * STAT 4 STS surgical survival: 94% * STAT 5 STS surgical survival: 91% * 1-year heart transplant survival: 97.6% (national average: 92.8%) * 3-year heart transplant survival: 92.3% (national average: 87.0%) The Heart Institute cares for a wide range of conditions - including single ventricle physiology, neonatal heart failure, cardiomyopathies, arrhythmias, vascular anomalies, and complex congenital heart disease - with specialized expertise in surgical innovation, mechanical circulatory support, and interventional cardiology. Innovations in Infrastructure and Access In 2023, the Heart Institute opened a state-of-the-art Hybrid Catheterization Lab, which enabled a significant increase in procedural volume and supported more complex interventions. In early 2025, the Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (CPCU) expanded to 40 beds to enhance throughput from the CICU and operating rooms, while maintaining a family-centered care environment. A major area of focus in 2024 was access to outpatient care. Targeted improvements in clinic scheduling, workflow redesign, and provider optimization led to increased clinic and echocardiography volumes, reduced patient wait times, and improved visit efficiency. The introduction of a Patient Flow Navigator role enhanced coordination between inpatient and outpatient settings-especially for high-risk patients with complex needs. Critical Care and ECMO Program Growth The Heart Institute's ECMO program continued to grow in 2024. Focused efforts to stabilize the workforce led to a 16.8% reduction in ECMO specialist turnover, supporting safer and more reliable care. A new Surgical CICU model was implemented to improve postoperative coordination and quality. As a result, the CICU achieved a reduction in its central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rate from 2.78 to 1.76 per 1,000-line days. Commitment to Quality, Safety, and Equity The Heart Institute is actively involved in national quality and research collaboratives including PC4, PAC3, and STS-CHSD, which promote transparency, benchmarking, and continuous improvement. In 2024, quality initiatives included: * Cardiac arrest prevention * Improved language access for families with limited English proficiency * Optimization of blood product transfusion practices * Equity-focused initiatives in the Cardiac Acute Care Unit * Fellow-led project to improve preoperative feeding * Discharge process standardization and education * Formation of a multidisciplinary Chylothorax and Thrombosis Work Group The Heart Institute participates in high-fidelity simulations, daily safety huddles, and post-event debriefs to promote a culture of high reliability. Data from these activities informs system-level improvements and supports real-time learning for front-line teams. Family-Centered, Team-Based Care Families are essential partners in care and are encouraged to participate in daily rounds and decision-making throughout the care journey. The Heart Institute also benefits from a Family Advisory Council to help shape programs and improve the patient experience. Our team collaborates across specialties including neonatology, genetics, pulmonology, surgery, and critical care to care for some of the most medically complex children in the region. The Heart Institute at Children's Hospital Colorado remains committed to delivering outstanding outcomes, advancing clinical and research innovation, and improving the lives of children with heart disease across Colorado and the region. CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL COLORADO (CHCO) works collaboratively with its affiliates as an academic medical center to fulfill a joint mission to provide excellent services and the best health outcomes for children, through teaching, research, clinical care and community support services. CHCO is committed TO INCLUSION AND BELONGING IN OUR WORKFORCE AND IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE STRIVE FOR EVERYONE TO FEEL VALUED. The following section describes CHCO's program service accomplishments for each of the three largest program services, as measured by expense. CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S SURGERY COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT Service Overview: The Center for Children's Surgery (CCS) at Children's Hospital Colorado is a nationally recognized leader in pediatric surgical care, treating everything from routine condit
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1938.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.