Nonprofit · EIN 84-0407039
CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Tax-exempt · COLORADO SPGS, CO 80906
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 30, 2026 | 990 | $34,386,132 | $28,354,469 | $6,031,663 | $145,797,216 | $10,659,230 | $135,137,986 |
| April 30, 2025 | 990 | $42,790,405 | $25,243,166 | $17,547,239 | $135,584,583 | $6,832,435 | $128,752,148 |
| April 30, 2024 | 990 | $32,534,297 | $24,096,181 | $8,438,116 | $116,465,047 | $5,516,642 | $110,948,405 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended April 30, 2026
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $6,113,428
- Program service revenue
- $25,940,876
- Investment income
- $2,251,554
- Net rental income
- $7,870
- Other revenue
- $80,274
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $967,085
- Other salaries and wages
- $10,983,995
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $13,881,983
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Occupancy
- $854,121
- Depreciation
- $2,997,162
- Program services (functional)
- $23,481,467
- Management and general (functional)
- $3,646,921
- Fundraising (functional)
- $1,226,081
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $135,584,583
- Total assets, end of year
- $145,797,216
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $10,659,230
- Net assets, end of year
- $135,137,986
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $75,293,885
- Publicly traded securities
- $15,943,547
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $129,097,716
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $6,040,270
- Gross receipts
- $34,412,961
- Employees
- 363
- Volunteers
- 300
- Year formed
- 1939
- State of legal domicile
- CO
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended April 30, 2026, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT L CHASTAIN III | PRESIDENT & Officer | 39 | $462,472 | $15,752 |
| KATHY FRENCH | VP FINANCE Officer | 40 | $192,783 | $13,462 |
| DAVE RUHL | EXECUTIVE VI Officer | 40 | $197,647 | $6,308 |
| JEFF HALTER | VP ANIMAL CA Highest-paid employee | 40 | $140,463 | $5,556 |
| TRACEY GAZIBARA | EXECUTIVE VI Officer | 40 | $139,017 | $5,492 |
| KELLEY PARKER | DIR OF DEVEL Highest-paid employee | 40 | $137,955 | $583 |
| DR ERIC KLAPHAKE | HEAD VETERIN Highest-paid employee | 40 | $126,631 | $11,173 |
| JUSTIN WEIS | SR DIR OF OP Highest-paid employee | 40 | $118,085 | $10,500 |
| MIRIAM SHALABI-LOPEZ | IT DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $118,467 | $6,001 |
| ANN NAUGHTON | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MIKE EDMONDS | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PERI FARICY | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVE SCHNEIDER | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TIA FERGUSON | PAST CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL ACKERMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
24 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ED ANDERSON | DIRECTOR SIN Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| VIC ANDREWS | DIRECTOR SIN Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DR ELIZABETH DOMANGUE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KAREN EBERHART | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CARLOS JIMENEZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| GRETA JOHNSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| GEOFF LAWHORN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CAROL KLEINER | DIRECTOR SIN Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| HANS MUEH | DIRECTOR SIN Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JACEY SHARPING | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOELLE SHREVES | DIRECTOR SIN Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BETSY SOBRAL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MIKE SUGGS | DIRECTOR SIN Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RYAN TRUJILLO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DAVIS TUTT | DIRECTOR SIN Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SALLY VEITCH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SUSIE BURGHART | HONORARY DIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KATHERINE H LOO | HONORARY DIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARIANNE BROOKS | DIRECTOR THR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MATT CARPENTER | DIRECTOR THR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KEVIN KRATT | DIRECTOR THR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TREVOR MILLER | DIRECTOR THR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| GREG RAYMOND | DIRECTOR THR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| GARY WINEGAR | DIRECTOR THR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended April 30, 2025: 36 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT L CHASTAIN III | PRESIDENT & Officer | 39 | $411,251 | $17,416 |
| TRACEY GAZIBARA | EXECUTIVE VI Officer | 40 | $210,100 | $13,083 |
| KATHY FRENCH | VP FINANCE Officer | 40 | $181,665 | $12,982 |
| DAVE RUHL | EXECUTIVE VI Officer | 40 | $173,657 | $6,103 |
| JEFF HALTER | VP ANIMAL CA Highest-paid employee | 40 | $129,137 | $6,580 |
| DR ERIC KLAPHAKE | HEAD VETERIN Highest-paid employee | 40 | $117,303 | $10,661 |
| JENNY KOCH | DIR OF MARKE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $117,353 | $5,818 |
| JUSTIN WEIS | SR DIR OF OP Highest-paid employee | 40 | $111,241 | $7,801 |
| KELLEY PARKER | DIR OF DEVEL Highest-paid employee | 40 | $104,358 | $534 |
| ANN NAUGHTON | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MIKE EDMONDS | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PERI FARICY | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GARY WINEGAR | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TIA FERGUSON | PAST CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL ACKERMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARIANNE BROOKS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATT CARPENTER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR ELIZABETH DOMANGUE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KAREN EBERHART | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CARLOS JIMENEZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GRETA JOHNSON | DIRECTOR SIN Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KEVIN KRATT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GEOFF LAWHORN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TREVOR MILLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GREG RAYMOND | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVE SCHNEIDER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JACEY SHARPING | DIRECTOR SIN Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BETSY SOBRAL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RYAN TRUJILLO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SALLY VIETCH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSIE BURGHART | HONORARY DIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHERINE H LOO | HONORARY DIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| VIC ANDREWS | DIRECTOR THR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEANIE BARATONO | DIRECTOR THR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN JOHNSON | DIRECTOR THR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HANS MUEH | DIRECTOR THR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended April 30, 2024: 39 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT L CHASTAIN III | PRESIDENT & Officer | 39 | $625,032 | $15,895 |
| TRACEY GAZIBARA | EXECUTIVE VI Key employee | 40 | $204,234 | $12,301 |
| KATHY FRENCH | VP FINANCE Officer | 40 | $175,856 | $12,301 |
| DAVE RUHL | EXECUTIVE VI Highest-paid employee | 40 | $149,455 | $5,720 |
| JEFF HALTER | VP ANIMAL CA Highest-paid employee | 40 | $125,309 | $3,996 |
| DR ERIC KLAPHAKE | HEAD VETERIN Highest-paid employee | 40 | $111,385 | $10,128 |
| JENNY KOCH | DIR OF MARKE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $113,954 | $5,475 |
| KELLEY PARKER | DIR OF DEVEL Highest-paid employee | 40 | $101,046 | $545 |
| TIA FERGUSON | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANN NAUGHTON | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MIKE EDMONDS | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GARY WINEGAR | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL ACKERMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| VIC ANDREWS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEANIE BARATONO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARIANNE BROOKS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATT CARPENTER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR ELIZABETH DOMANGUE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KAREN EBERHART | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CARLOS JIMENEZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN JOHNSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KEN KEENE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KEVIN KRATT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GEOFF LAWHORN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TREVOR MILLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HANS MUEH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GREG RAYMOND | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVE SCHNEIDER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BETSY SOBRAL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RYAN TRUJILLO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SALLY VIETCH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSIE BURGHART | HONORARY DIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHERINE H LOO | HONORARY DIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| J L AUSTGEN | DIRECTOR, TH Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHANIE FORTUNE | DIRECTOR, TH Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PERI FARICY | DIRECTOR, TH Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARSHA FOGARTY | DIRECTOR, TH Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CAROL KLEINER | DIRECTOR, TH Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRENDA WHITLOCK | DIRECTOR, TH Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 4250 CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO RD, COLORADO SPGS, CO 80906-5728
- In care of
- % KATHY FRENCH
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- DAVE RUHL, 4250 CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO ROAD, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80906
- Signed the 990
- DAVE RUHL, EXECUTIVE VICE PRES.
- Phone
- (719) 633-9925
- Website
- WWW.CMZOO.ORG
- Return prepared by
- KUNDINGER CORDER & MONTOYA PC
Mission
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.
Program accomplishments
- 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.Expenses $19,101,787 · revenue $24,835,941
- 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.Expenses $4,379,680 · revenue $1,104,935
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in April, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | April 30, 2026 | September 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | April 30, 2025 | September 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | April 30, 2024 | September 16, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 84-0407039
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1939
- Accounting year ends
- April
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Animal-related (D500)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $145,797,216
- Income (IRS master file)
- $34,412,961
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | April 2026 | $34,386,132 | $28,354,469 | $145,797,216 | XML |
| 990 | April 2025 | $42,790,405 | $25,243,166 | $135,584,583 | XML |
| 990 | April 2024 | $32,534,297 | $24,096,181 | $116,465,047 | XML |
| 990 | April 2023 | $28,893,589 | $22,546,476 | $106,650,927 | IRS |
| 990 | April 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | April 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | April 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | April 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 84-0407039).
Questions about CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
- What is the EIN of CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY is 84-0407039.
- Is CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1939.
- Are donations to CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending April 30, 2027) is due September 15, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended April 2026.
- Who is the principal officer of CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY?
- The 990 for the year ended April 30, 2026 names DAVE RUHL.
- Who are the officers and directors of CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY?
- The 990 for the year ended April 30, 2026 lists 39 people; 9 received compensation from the organization, the highest $462,472 (ROBERT L CHASTAIN III, PRESIDENT &).
- How much revenue does CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY have?
- On its 990 for the year ended April 30, 2026 it reported revenue of $34,386,132, expenses of $28,354,469 and total assets of $145,797,216 at year end.
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