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Coalition for the Upper South Platte

EIN 84-1469785 · Lake George, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak23 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

CUSP SEEKS TO PROTECT THE WATER QUALITY AND ECOLOGICAL HEALTH OF THE UPPER SOUTH PLATTE WATERSHED THROUGH THE COOPERATIVE EFFORTS OF STAKEHOLDERS WITH EMPHASIS ON COMMUNITY VALUES AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY. CUSP IS A WATERSHED PROTECTION ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON WATER QUALITY THROUGH FOREST HEALTH & FUELS REDUCTION, HABITAT IMPROVEMENT, INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING & EDUCATION, CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMS.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
-0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 81%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$87,833, executive director

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

Weak: 23 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 104% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 59% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% 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 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 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

    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 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 (5)
  1. $378,096 spent. FOREST HEALTH AND FUELS MITIGATION - ASSESS & MITIGATE FUELS TO CREATE DEFENSIBLE SPACE & REDUCE THE RISK OF CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRES & LOSS OF LIFE & PROPERTY. OPERATE FUELS REDUCTION PROGRAM & THREE SLASH DROP-OFF SITES SERVING THE WATERSHED AND ADJACENT COMMUNITIES. ALSO PROVIDE OVERSIGHT & MANAGEMENT OF BURN SCAR REHABILITATION PROJECTS.
  2. $868,704 spent. HABITAT & RECREATION - ACCOMPLISH HABITAT IMPROVEMENT WITH RIVER/STREAM & RIPARIAN AREA RESTORATION, EROSION CONTROL & PROJECTS, TRAILS CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE, AND NOXIOUS WEED MANAGEMENT.
  3. $170,278 spent. PROGRAM OPERATIONS OVERSIGHT AMONG ALL PROGRAMS, INCLUDING OUTREACH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
  4. CONSERVATOIN & SUSTAINABILITY
  5. $44,887 spent. MONITOR, CONSERVE & SUSTAN - PERFORM SURFACE WATER & SOIL SAMPLING TO ASSESS RUN-OFF & IN-STREAM WATER QUALITY FOR LONG-TERMS STUDIES, INCLUDING MINE RUN-OFF ASSESSMENTS. ALSO PERFORM LONG-TERM STUDY OF FOREST MATERIAL DEGRADATION.

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 1998.

    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.