Nonprofit · EIN 84-1497653
COLORADO CONSORTIUM FOR EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION
Tax-exempt · COLORADO SPGS, CO 80924
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 31, 2025 | 990 | $847,521 | $931,872 | -$84,351 | $1,365,219 | $38,161 | $1,327,058 |
| August 31, 2024 | 990 | $733,784 | $821,472 | -$87,688 | $1,431,942 | $43,045 | $1,388,897 |
| August 31, 2023 | 990 | $512,666 | $638,421 | -$125,755 | $1,484,204 | $38,492 | $1,445,712 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $443,413
- Program service revenue
- $379,481
- Investment income
- $24,627
- Other revenue
- $0
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $107,100
- Other salaries and wages
- $453,568
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $730,246
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Travel
- $2,466
- Depreciation
- $44,179
- Program services (functional)
- $784,382
- Management and general (functional)
- $126,995
- Fundraising (functional)
- $20,495
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $1,431,942
- Total assets, end of year
- $1,365,219
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $38,161
- Net assets, end of year
- $1,327,058
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $402,086
- Publicly traded securities
- $202,659
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $1,054,399
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $272,659
- Gross receipts
- $847,521
- Employees
- 25
- Volunteers
- 40
- Year formed
- 1998
- 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 August 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RONALD BUSH | PRESIDENT AN Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $102,433 | $21,921 |
| BRAD BARNES | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARTIN FRANCE | SECRETARY/TR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT FREDELL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHNATHON CALDWELL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JIM MIKKELSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN E SMITH | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JINGER HABERER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TONIA SHAW | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LT GEN WINFIELD W SCOTT JR | CHAIRMAN EME Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended August 31, 2024: 10 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RONALD BUSH | PRESIDENT AN Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $97,087 | $20,116 |
| BRAD BARNES | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARTIN FRANCE | SECRETARY/TR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT FREDELL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHNATHON CALDWELL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JIM MIKKELSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN E SMITH | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JINGER HABERER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TONIA SHAW | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LT GEN WINFIELD W SCOTT JR | CHAIRMAN EME Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended August 31, 2023: 8 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RONALD BUSH | PRESIDENT AN Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $96,600 | $17,431 |
| BRAD BARNES | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARTIN FRANCE | SECRETARY/TR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT FREDELL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHNATHON CALDWELL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JIM MIKKELSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN E SMITH | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LT GEN WINFIELD W SCOTT JR | CHAIRMAN EME Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 8717 WOLF VALLEY DR, COLORADO SPGS, CO 80924-5408
- In care of
- % ROBERT S FREDELL
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- RONALD BUSH, 8717 WOLF VALLEY DRIVE, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80924
- Signed the 990
- RONALD BUSH, PRESIDENT AND CEO
- Phone
- (719) 598-9755
- Website
- WWW.CHALLENGERCOLORADO.ORG
- Return prepared by
- ALTRUIC ADVISORS CPAS
Mission
COLORADO CONSORTIUM FOR EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION IS THE PREMIER PROVIDER OF INFORMATIONAL STEM EDUCATION FOR K-8 IN SOUTHERN COLORADO. PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED IN THEIR FACILITY, AT CLIENT'S FACILITIES, AND SUPPORT NUMEROUS OTHER STEM AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT OUTREACH PROGRAMS, WITH THE GOAL OF INCREASING STEM-INTERESTED STUDENTS TO COLLEGE AND EMPLOYEES TO INDUSTRY.
Program accomplishments
- ON-SITE MISSIONS AND PROGRAMS - SIMULATOR MISSIONS EMPLOY THREE SPACE SIMULATORS TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO PURSUE STEM CAREER FIELDS AS THEY APPLY LESSONS THEY HAVE LEARNED IN THEIR CLASS TO REAL-LIFE, TIME-CRITICAL PROBLEMS IN AN ENGAGING, EXCITING ENVIRONMENT. EDUCATORS DELIVER A CO- CURRICULAR UNIT OF STUDY TO THEIR STUDENTS IN PREPARATION FOR THE FIELD TRIP TO THE ON-SITE MISSION. STUDENTS EXPERIENCE THE EXCITEMENT OF A HUMAN SPACE MISSION AS THEY WORK TOGETHER TO SOLVE PROBLEMS AND FIND SUCCESS AS A TEAM. IN THE SECOND HALF DAY OF THEIR FIELD TRIP, STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT THE PLANETS AND STARS IN THE MIKKELSON PLANETARIUM, AND WORK AS TEAMS TO SOLVE DESIGN/BUILD OR CODING CHALLENGES IN THE MAKER SPACE.Expenses $274,097 · revenue $379,481
- OFF-SITE MISSIONS - DISTANCE-DELIVERED "E-MISSIONS" ARE INTENDED AS A LOWER-COST OPTION FOR SCHOOLS OUTSIDE REASONABLE DRIVING DISTANCES, PROVIDING THE EXCITEMENT OF A CHALLENGER MISSION AT ABOUT HALF THE COST PER PUPIL. DELIVERED VIA BROADBAND, E-MISSIONS ALLOW STUDENTS TO ENGAGE IN "TEAM STEM" ACTIVITIES RELATED TO SPACE FLIGHT, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, WEATHER, OR ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT. OUR FLIGHT DIRECTORS CONNECT TO HUNDREDS OF DISTANT CLASSROOMS EACH YEAR.Expenses $167,632
- OFF-SITE PROGRAMS AND TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES MORE THAN 50 DAYS OF PORTABLE PLANETARIUM SHOWS AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC SCIENCE EVENTS. THIS LOW COST-PER-STUDENT ACTIVITY GIVES SCHOOLS A "FIELD TRIP" FOR THE ENTIRE SCHOOL WITHOUT INCURRING THE COST AND ADMINISTRATIVE WORK REQUIRED FOR BUS TRIPS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO FOCUSES ON PROVIDING WORLD-CLASS STEM TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. A DECADE-LONG SUMMER PROGRAM KNOWN AS STEM BOOTCAMP ENGAGES 100+ PRIMARY TEACHERS PER YEAR IN HANDS-ON METHODS FOR STEM AND PROJECT-BASED LEARNING.Expenses $61,253
- OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDING BOOTCAMP, GIRLS IN STEM, MAKER SPACE, PUBLIC WEEKEND, SUMMER CAMP, AND OTHER SMALL PROGRAMS.Expenses $281,400
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 August, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | August 31, 2026 | January 15, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | August 31, 2025 | January 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | August 31, 2024 | January 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 84-1497653
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1999
- Accounting year ends
- August
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B90)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $1,365,219
- Income (IRS master file)
- $847,521
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | August 2025 | $847,521 | $931,872 | $1,365,219 | XML |
| 990 | August 2024 | $733,784 | $821,472 | $1,431,942 | XML |
| 990 | August 2023 | $512,666 | $638,421 | $1,484,204 | XML |
| 990 | August 2022 | $588,811 | $503,696 | $1,576,742 | IRS |
| 990 | August 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2018 | – | – | – | 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 84-1497653).
Questions about COLORADO CONSORTIUM FOR EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION
- What is the EIN of COLORADO CONSORTIUM FOR EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of COLORADO CONSORTIUM FOR EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION is 84-1497653.
- Is COLORADO CONSORTIUM FOR EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1999.
- Are donations to COLORADO CONSORTIUM FOR EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does COLORADO CONSORTIUM FOR EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION 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 COLORADO CONSORTIUM FOR EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending August 31, 2026) is due January 15, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did COLORADO CONSORTIUM FOR EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended August 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of COLORADO CONSORTIUM FOR EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION?
- The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 names RONALD BUSH.
- Who are the officers and directors of COLORADO CONSORTIUM FOR EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION?
- The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 lists 10 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $102,433 (RONALD BUSH, PRESIDENT AN).
- How much revenue does COLORADO CONSORTIUM FOR EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION have?
- On its 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $847,521, expenses of $931,872 and total assets of $1,365,219 at year end.
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