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Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society

EIN 84-0407039 · Colorado Spgs, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OWNS AND OPERATES THE CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO. A LEADER IN CONSERVATION, CAPTIVE BREEDING AND ANIMAL CARE, THE ZOO CONNECTS PEOPLE WITH WILDLIFE AND WILD PLACES THROUGH EXPERIENCES THAT INSPIRE ACTION. A LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY, ITS PURPOSE IS TO EDUCATE PEOPLE AND PROVIDE FIRST CLASS ANIMAL EXPERIENCES THAT BRING PEOPLE INTO THE AWE AND WONDER OF ANIMALS AND THE NATURAL WORLD, RESULTING IN ACTION TOWARD SPECIES CONSERVATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT. WE WORK TO SECURE A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR OUR CAPTIVE COLLECTIONS, WILDLIFE AND WILD PLACES BY ENCOURAGING DIRECT COMMUNITY ACTION, MANAGING AND BREEDING IMPERILED SPECIES, AND PARTICIPATING IN FIELD CONSERVATION PROGRAMS THAT WILL BENEFIT FROM OUR UNIQUE SKILLS AND ABILITIES. CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO'S FLAGSHIP CONSERVATION SPECIES ARE BLACK-FOOTED FERRETS, WYOMING TOADS, ORANGUTANS, PANAMA AMPHIBIANS, AND AFRICAN ELEPHANTS, RHINOS, AND GIRAFFES.

Income
$34.4 million
Spending
$28.4 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
22.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 75%
Employees
363
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$478,224, president &

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 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 April 30, 2026, 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 (2)
  1. $19.1 million spent. ANIMAL CARE AND CONSERVATION - TO HOUSE AND DISPLAY AN ANIMAL COLLECTION FOR THE CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND TO PROVIDE SURVIVAL ASSISTANCE FOR SPECIES IN PERIL. WE SHARE OUR ENTHUSIASM FOR ANIMALS IN THE HOPES THAT THIS WILL COMPEL OTHERS TO LOVE, RESPECT AND PROTECT THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND ITS' INHABITANTS. WE WILL CULTIVATE DEEP APPRECIATION OF WILDLIFE IN OUR VISITORS BY PROVIDING AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT WITH OUR ANIMALS, AND WE WILL CONTINUALLY IMPROVE OUR ANIMALS' QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH TRAINING, ENRICHMENT, HEALTH CARE, EXHIBITS AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT.
  2. $4.4 million spent. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES - TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO FOSTER AN APPRECIATION AND RESPECT FOR WILDLIFE AND WILD PLACES AND TO EDUCATE YOUTH ON THE ECOSYSTEMS OF THE WORLD. OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS CREATE CONNECTIONS TO ANIMALS, NATURE, STAFF AND ZOOS THAT EMPOWER ACTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP. WE WANT OUR GUESTS TO BE EXCITED TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES AND FEELINGS BY OFFERING AN UNSELFCONSCIOUS, COMFORTABLE AND ENGAGING ENVIRONMENT. IT IS OUR GOAL TO IGNITE PASSION IN THE VERY YOUNG AND FOSTER IT FOR LIFE; WE CONSIDER EVERY STAGE OF LIFE AND OFFER AGE APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2026, 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 April 2026.

    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 May 1939.

    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.

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