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Colorado Mountain Club

EIN 84-0410760 · Golden, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CMC IS ORGANIZED TO: UNITE THE ENERGY, INTEREST AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE STUDENTS EXPLORERS, AND LOVERS OF THE MOUNTAINS OF COLORADO; COLLECT AND DISSEMINATE INFORMATION REGARDING THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS ON BEHALF OF SCIENCE LITERATURE, ART, AND RECREATION; STIMULATE THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN OUR MOUNTAIN AREAS; ENCOURAGE THE PRESERVATION OF FOREST FLOWERS FAUNA, AND NATURAL SCENERY; AND RENDER READILY ACCESSIBLE THE ALPINE ATTRACTIONS OF THIS REGION.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$2.9 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
6.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 44%
Employees
39
Volunteers
518
Highest pay
$118,447, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 15 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 September 30, 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 (5)
  1. $1.5 million spent. REGISTRATION FEES COLORADO MOUNTAIN CLUB (CMC) HOSTS A VARIETY OF INFORMATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS RELATED TO MOUNTAIN CONSERVATION AND OUTDOOR RECREATION. THESE EVENTS SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE OUTDOOR COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING ADULT AND YOUTH CENTERED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING. EVENTS INCLUDE TICKETED EVENTS, FILM FESTIVALS, SPEAKER PRESENTATIONS, FUNDRAISING DINNERS, AND BANQUETS EACH YEAR. THESE EVENTS PROMOTE THE SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE RECREATION OF THE COLORADO MOUNTAINS. ANNUAL BANQUETS ARE REQUIRED BY THE GROUP'S CHARTER.
  2. $253,944 spent. MEMBERSHIP DUES MEMBERSHIP SERVICES AND MEMBERSHIP BASED ACTIVITIES. CMC PROVIDES VARIOUS BENEFITS AND PROGRAMS FOR ITS MEMBERS INCLUDING: OUTINGS, SCHOOLS, SOCIAL EVENTS, ACCESS TO CMC-MAINTAINED BACK COUNTRY HUTS, MEMBERSHIP MAGAZINES, AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.
  3. $295,562 spent. ALL OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES REVENUE CMC CARRIES A LINE OF GUIDEBOOKS, ACTIVITY HANDBOOKS, AND CMC LOGO MERCHANDISE FOR SALE. THE SALE OF THESE ITEMS IS INTENDED TO FURTHER THE CMC MISSION.
  4. TUITION FROM SCHOOLS ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMMING CONDUCTED AT THE GROUP LEVEL. CMC PROVIDES CLASSES GEARED TOWARDS THE GOAL OF SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE RECREATION OF COLORADO MOUNTAINS. CLASSES VARY FROM INTRODUCTION LEVEL TO ADVANCED TECHNICAL HIGH-ALTITUDE MOUNTAINEERING. CLASSES ARE OFFERED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, BUT PARTICIPATION REQUIRES MEMBERSHIP.
  5. TUITION FROM SCHOOLS ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMMING CONDUCTED AT THE GROUP LEVEL. CMC PROVIDES CLASSES GEARED TOWARDS THE GOAL OF SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE RECREATION OF COLORADO MOUNTAINS. CLASSES VARY FROM INTRODUCTION LEVEL TO ADVANCED TECHNICAL HIGH-ALTITUDE MOUNTAINEERING. CLASSES ARE OFFERED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, BUT PARTICIPATION REQUIRES MEMBERSHIP.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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 September 1994.

    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.