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The Colorado Trail Foundation

EIN 84-1057336 · Poncha Spgs, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To provide, improve, and maintain, through voluntary public involvement and in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, a linear, non-motorized, sustainable, scenic, recreation trail corridor for hikers, mountain bikers, and horse riders between Denver and Durango, Colorado: The Colorado Trail.

Income
$981,651
Spending
$888,486
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
22.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 47%
Employees
21
Volunteers
700
Highest pay
$110,075, executive dir.

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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 (4)
  1. $335,026 spent. Trail operations: Improve and maintain the Colorado Trail. The Colorado Trail Foundation sponsored 21 trail crews with a total of 651 volunteers. These trail crews built and refurbished hundreds of water diversions, removed trees and undergrowth, and eliminated rocks impeding the trail. Adopter volunteers cleared the trail, sawed and removed hundreds of fallen trees, cleaned water diversions, repaired rockslides,and repaired, replaced, and installed signs enabling hikers and horses to stay on the trail. Averaged out over the length of the Colorado Trail, this is roughly 20 hours of volunteer work per mile of trail. In all, 651 volunteers worked a total of 11,805 hours with 11 USFS Ranger Districts, 6 national forests, 2 ski resorts and other partner organizations to protect the trail for Colorado Trail users.All of this effort made 2024 one of our busiest years on record!
  2. $158,053 spent. Guided treks: Trekkers participated in seven week-long supported treks along the Colorado Trail for recreational and educational activity keyed to the diverse, high mountain environment.
  3. $144,531 spent. Outreach and trail user education and assistance: Educated and aided hundreds of Colorado Trail users by responding to telephone and email requests for information. Distributed Treadlines newsletters to over 17,000 households. Maintained and improved the CTF website, social media, and database to support trail crew and adopter activities, and educate trail users about the trail and Leave No Trace ethics. Provided speakers and video information on the subject of the Colorado Trail, the Colorado Trail Foundation, trail crew and educational opportunities.
  4. $97,117 spent. Other program services: Maps and guidebooks: developed and updated materials to inform trail users and the general public about the Colorado Trail, and provided support information to the trail users in 2024. Events: The Foundation sponsored several events to celebrate new trail openings and connect with, educate, and thank its 700 volunteers who contributed over 12,000 hours to the protection and preservation of the Colorado Trail.

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

  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 2024.

    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 1987.

    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.