Nonprofit · EIN 84-1533334
LA PLATA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE
Tax-exempt · DURANGO, CO 81301
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $1,343,716 | $1,122,793 | $220,923 | $1,740,622 | $334,640 | $1,405,982 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $1,425,181 | $1,422,048 | $3,133 | $1,352,240 | $197,638 | $1,154,602 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $1,355,005 | $839,311 | $515,694 | $1,406,051 | $279,926 | $1,126,125 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $928,328
- of which government grants
- $928,328
- Program service revenue
- $379,329
- Investment income
- $33,153
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $6,455
- Other revenue
- $2,906
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $216,725
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $137,606
- Other salaries and wages
- $138,950
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $324,840
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $3,600
- Accounting fees
- $53,320
- Occupancy
- $22,299
- Travel
- $12,620
- Depreciation
- $3,322
- Program services (functional)
- $999,598
- Management and general (functional)
- $104,433
- Fundraising (functional)
- $18,762
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $1,352,240
- Total assets, end of year
- $1,740,622
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $334,640
- Net assets, end of year
- $1,405,982
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $2,215
- Publicly traded securities
- $251,903
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $1,062,995
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $342,987
- Gross receipts
- $1,499,681
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 10
- Year formed
- 2000
- 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 December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SARAH TOBER | Executive Dir. Officer | 40 | $132,115 | $5,491 |
| SAM KRIER | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH PHILBRICK | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRENNA MORLAN | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HEATHER SHOTTEN | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHIRLEY GONZALEZ | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON PORTZ | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KENT CURTIS | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JESSIKA BUELL | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH HOWE | Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CLARK CRAIG | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 13 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SARAH TOBER | Executive Dir. Officer | 40 | $115,671 | $3,310 |
| MICHAEL FRENCH | FMR EXEC DIRECT Officer | 40 | $73,622 | $2,277 |
| STEVE ELIAS | Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MATT SALKA | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MITCH DYE | Vice Chair/Secr Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON PORTZ | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KENT CURTIS | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JESSIKA BUELL | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH HOWE | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CLARK CRAIG | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ALEXIS HARTZ | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ASHLEIGH TARKINGTON | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| EDWARD BOX III | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 11 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL FRENCH | Executive Dir. Officer | 40 | $121,977 |
| EDWARD BOX III | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ASHLEIGH TARKINGTON | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| STEVE ELIAS | Chair-Beg 8/22 Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| JOE THEINE | Chair-End 8/22 Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| MATT SALKA | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KIM BAXTER | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MITCH DYE | Vice Chair/Secr Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| JASON PORTZ | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| KENT CURTIS | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JESSIKA BUELL | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 2301 MAIN AVE, DURANGO, CO 81301-4642
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- SARAH TOBER, 2301 MAIN AVENUE, DURANGO, CO 81301
- Signed the 990
- SARAH TOBER, Executive Director
- Phone
- (970) 259-1700
- Website
- WWW.YESLPC.COM
- Return prepared by
- Olson Reyes & Sauerwein LLC
Mission
The Alliances mission is to create a vibrant and resilient economy through the recruitment, retainment, and growth of business to preserve our quality of life. This mission is achieved by workforce development, enabling business capacity, supporting affordable housing for the community workforce that is essential for long-term economic sustainability, and fostering public and private partnerships.
Program accomplishments
- Workforce Development Healthcare Workforce Pipeline:Designed to strengthen the healthcare talent pipeline across the five-county Region 9 area, HWP focuses on reducing barriers to entry and supporting individuals asthey pursue healthcare careers. To support this work, the Alliance hired a dedicated HWP Program Navigator. In coordination with Axis Health Systems, Fort Lewis College, and the Alliance, the Program Navigator led outreach and one-on-one navigation forindividuals exploring healthcare careers while also convening regional healthcare employers and education partners to identify workforce gaps and align talentpipeline strategies with real-time industry needs. Throughout the year, HWP supported 49 community members across the Region 9 and Northern New Mexico area. As a result of this individualized navigation and coordinated employer engagement, 27 participants were accepted into certification, graduate, or licensing programs. These outcomes reflect measurable progress toward building a stronger regional healthcare workforce while expanding healthcare access and supporting economic mobility for local residents.Project Run Leadership Training:The Southern Ute Tribe, headquartered in Ignacio, is the largest employer in La Plata County. Through their Permanent Fund and their Growth Fund, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe supports essential services, cultural institutions, and long-term economic opportunity across our region. In 2025, the Alliance partnered with the Tribe through Project RUN to invest directly in leadership development for tribal employees. Working with the Tribes Permanent Fund, Project RUN delivered Fundamentals of Leadership & Management I: People, a six-week training focused on communication, accountability, and effective team leadership. Seventeen employees from departments including Health, Education, Finance, Human Resources, Culture, and Natural Resources completed the course. This work strengthened leadership from within the organization. Participants developed new skills while continuing to serve their departments and community. For employees stepping into expanded roles, the training supported real-time leadership transitions and long-term career growth within the Tribe. By partnering with the countys largest employer, the Alliance helped reinforce workforce stability where it has the greatest impact. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to growing talent locally and strengthening Ignacios role in the regions economic future.Expenses $608,114 · grants $216,725
- Housing InitiativesPine River Commons:Breaking ground in 2023, Pine River Commons is a workforce housing development delivering much-needed below-market homes in Bayfield. In 2025, Bayfield home prices averaged $501,728, putting homeownership further out of reach for many local residents. In 2025, as the first phase of 11 homes neared completion, Pine River Commons sought additional support through the Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund to ensure home prices remained attainable amid continued market pressures. The Catalyst Advisory Committee approved an additional $100,000 investment to support the project. The Alliance also partnered with Bayfield Haga, the developers of Pine River Commons, to pursue an integrated housing and childcare solution.Working in collaboration with U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, the Alliance submitted a $2.7 million Congressional District Spending (CDS) request to support the development of a dedicated childcare facility as part of Pine RiverCommons Phase II.Durango:With the average home price of $1,010,235 in Durango city limits, developing attainable units for our regions workforce continues to be a top priority. In 2025, the Alliance supported workforce housing development in Durango through the Housing Catalyst Fund. The Housing Catalyst Fund is a unique funding source that targets the predevelopment costs that are critical to project feasibility but are often underfunded. During the year, the Alliance conducted two rounds of Housing Catalyst Fund grant awards in Durango, investing $175,000 to support projects already positioned to move forward. These targeted investments helped reduce early financial barriers and advance housing developments that prioritize long-term affordability for local workers. Together, these projects represent 79 total housing units, allbelow-market, underscoring the Housing Catalyst Funds role in strengthening Durangos workforce housing pipeline and supporting sustainable community growth. To date, the Housing Catalyst Fund has deployed $701,798 to support the development and preservation of 564 belowmarket units across La Plata County.Town of Ignacio:The Town of Ignacio faces unique housing challenges shaped by an aging housing stock and limited availability of newer, attainable homes. Expanding affordable housing options is essential to supporting residents, strengthening the local workforce, andsustaining Ignacios long-term economic health. Since 2023, the Alliance has supported the Towns Rock Creek Housing Project through a combination of capacity-building and direct investment. In 2025, the Alliance supported the Town ofIgnacio through completion of its Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Capacity Grant, resulting in an additional $50,000 to advance local affordable housing development. Additionally, with local financing tools, the Alliance provided project-level support with $50,000 in Housing Catalyst Fund grants and $235,000 in Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund financing. These investments helped reduce early-stage barriers and supported the development of attainable homes for the community.Phase I of the Rock Creek Housing Project was completed in 2025 and marked with aribbon cutting. All 11 homes in the first phase have been sold, accounting for the total Ignacio in town home sales in 2025. This is a 5% increase in home sales compared to 2024, demonstrating a strong demand and the importance of continued housing investment in Ignacio.Expenses $323,362 · revenue $179,071
- Summit and Member Programs The Alliance supported its 100 investor members with economic data tracking, monthly investor member meetings, and its 18th Annual Summit. The 2025 Alliance Summit brought together 350 attendees for a day focused on connection and shared learning about La Plata Countys economic opportunities. Centering on the theme Rooted in Community, each session emphasized the strength of our region and the importance of investing in the people, land, and culture of our communities. 86.5% of attendees shared that they learned something new, reinforcing the importance of this annual gathering. The Summit continues to strenghten cross-sector partnerships, bringing together business owners, nonprofit leaders, educators,tribal representatives, and policymakers. Elected officials from our countys four municipalities, leadership from the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and major regional employers were present for the day. This convening of leadership is valuable to our region, with 83% of attendees reporting that they made a new, valuable connection.Expenses $68,122 · revenue $200,258
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 December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 84-1533334
- 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
- 2026
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Community improvement and capacity building (S01)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $1,740,622
- Income (IRS master file)
- $1,499,681
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $1,343,716 | $1,122,793 | $1,740,622 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $1,425,181 | $1,422,048 | $1,352,240 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $1,355,005 | $839,311 | $1,406,051 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $573,629 | $481,206 | $849,537 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 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 84-1533334).
Questions about LA PLATA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE
- What is the EIN of LA PLATA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of LA PLATA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE is 84-1533334.
- Is LA PLATA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2026.
- Are donations to LA PLATA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does LA PLATA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE 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 LA PLATA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did LA PLATA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of LA PLATA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names SARAH TOBER.
- Who are the officers and directors of LA PLATA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 11 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $132,115 (SARAH TOBER, Executive Dir.).
- How much revenue does LA PLATA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $1,343,716, expenses of $1,122,793 and total assets of $1,740,622 at year end.
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All nonprofits in DURANGO · Colorado · Community improvement and capacity building