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Nonprofiteer
← THE COLORADO MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by THE COLORADO MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY.

Totals

Total revenue
$55,709,331
Total expenses
$59,642,200
Contributions and grants received
$29,855,159
Grants paid
$377,040
Program service revenue
$17,515,249
Investment income
$649,640
Other revenue
$7,689,283
Total assets, end of year
$34,399,828
Total liabilities, end of year
$8,629,894
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$25,769,934
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$45,378,348
Management and general expenses
$11,431,434
Fundraising expenses
$2,832,418
Program service expenses (Part III)
$45,378,348

Program services were 76.1% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1d · Related organizations

    $4,631,836

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $14,885,346

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $10,337,977

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $675,643

  • 2a · Program service revenue: Admissions

    total $11,166,339 · related or exempt $11,166,339

  • 2b · Program service revenue: Memberships

    total $5,270,662 · related or exempt $5,270,662

  • 2c · Program service revenue: Educational/outreach

    total $1,078,248 · related or exempt $1,078,248

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $648,026 · excluded $648,026

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $38,240 · excluded $38,240

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $1,614

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $0

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $1,614

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $1,614 · excluded $1,614

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $9,539,557

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $3,021,610

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $6,517,947 · related or exempt $6,517,947

  • 11a · Other revenue: Miscellaneous

    total $883,096 · related or exempt $148,180 · excluded $734,916

  • 11b · Other revenue: Administrative fees

    total $250,000 · related or exempt $250,000

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $1,133,096

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $377,040 · program services $377,040

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $1,873,861 · program services $1,453,613 · management and general $313,569 · fundraising $106,679

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $27,455,190 · program services $21,297,857 · management and general $4,594,303 · fundraising $1,563,030

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $843,846 · program services $654,598 · management and general $141,208 · fundraising $48,040

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $2,041,199 · program services $1,583,422 · management and general $341,571 · fundraising $116,206

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $2,003,373 · program services $1,554,080 · management and general $335,241 · fundraising $114,052

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $16,000 · management and general $16,000

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $47,460 · management and general $47,460

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $21,973 · fundraising $21,973

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $4,298,676 · program services $3,648,138 · management and general $529,393 · fundraising $121,145

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $1,870,972 · program services $73,602 · management and general $1,784,045 · fundraising $13,325

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $4,655,076 · program services $2,275,428 · management and general $1,898,653 · fundraising $480,995

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $4,979,910 · program services $4,735,596 · management and general $71,482 · fundraising $172,832

  • 17 · Travel

    total $987,907 · program services $820,885 · management and general $138,097 · fundraising $28,925

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $856,480 · program services $741,203 · management and general $107,480 · fundraising $7,797

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $472,143 · management and general $472,143

  • 24a · Other expenses: Capital Improvements

    total $5,618,568 · program services $5,584,397 · management and general $32,443 · fundraising $1,728

  • 24b · Other expenses: Employee Development

    total $749,652 · program services $221,361 · management and general $497,936 · fundraising $30,355

  • 24c · Other expenses: Lease Expense

    total $300,570 · program services $300,570

  • 24d · Other expenses: Membership Dues

    total $172,304 · program services $56,558 · management and general $110,410 · fundraising $5,336

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $18,513,327 · end of year $18,076,003

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $5,027,277 · end of year $5,156,789

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $1,001,229 · end of year $1,224,753

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $8,181,742 · end of year $4,342,962

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $492,280 · end of year $502,278

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $1,407,754 · end of year $1,890,323

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $22,684,940

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $19,478,220

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $2,377,812 · end of year $3,206,720

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $4,516,450 · end of year $5,070,018

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $2,782,168 · end of year $2,715,656

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $844,220

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $17,290,726 · end of year $16,142,691

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $12,412,077 · end of year $9,627,243

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

Be a catalyst! Ignite our community's passion for nature and science.

  • Exhibits & Digital Media: To advance its mission of igniting our community's passion for nature and science, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science presents a dynamic menu of permanent and temporary exhibits (Apollo, Unseen Oceans, Bugs, Planet Ice and Wild Color), films in the newly renovated Infinity theater, offsite science play areas and awe-inspiring shows in its digital Planetarium. In 2023, the Museum served 2.4 million adults, families, and students, including 1.1 million offsite in the community and virtually.

    Expenses $27,713,991 · Grants $16,375 · Revenue $17,515,249

  • Educational Programs & Community Engagement: In 2023, diverse program offerings for people of all ages include exciting science facilitations, lectures, documentary film screenings, school break camps, and family activity programs. Programs included After Hours virtual lectures, in-person facilitated family programs, numerous virtual program offerings, themed celebrations focused on inclusion, Scientists in Action broadcasts from the field, and many more. ExciteEd programs for schools included teacher professional development classes, field trips and overnight stays at the Museum, virtual science labs, summer and school break camps and offsite programs. Our Museum on Wheels: Curiosity Cruiser and the community engagement team connected nearly 29,800 people with nature and science by going to their events and communities.

    Expenses $9,738,487 · Grants $150,000 · Revenue $6,914,552

  • Science Division: Museum scientists contribute knowledge about the earth, its inhabitants, and beyond by conducting research across multiple scientific disciplines including anthropology, earth sciences, health sciences, space sciences, and zoology. Staff also manage, curate, and provide access to the Museum's collection of 4.3 million objects and specimens. In 2023, Science Division staff published 37 peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and book chapters, produced 21 popular books, book chapters, articles, and were cited 1,920 times. During this time, staff also hosted 196 researchers and fielded 253 research requests from the scientific community. The Science Division also engaged in abundant educational outreach by communicating science to almost 45,000 members of the public through courses, events, tours, lectures, and field trips. 6,557 of those guests attended collection open houses or behind-the-scenes tours of the Avenir Collections Center. Science staff supervised 35 interns, hosted 20 Teen Science Scholars, and mentored 15 undergraduate and graduate students. The division's volunteer program continued to rebound following the pandemic and in 2023, 900 volunteers contributed over 104,638 hours.

    Expenses $7,925,870 · Grants $210,665 · Revenue $1,575

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Steve McConahey

    Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Jena Hausmann

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Steven C Halstedt

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Jenny Hopkins

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Alice Jackson

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • John M Levisay

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Kristin Richardson

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Mark Spiecker

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Paul Washington

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Richard Ambrose

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Matthew Burkett

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Christopher S Chavez

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • John M Couzens

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Jandell Allen-Davis

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Henry H Gordon

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Happy Haynes

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Hayden Hirschfeld

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Don Law

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • David L Liniger

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Harold R Logan Jr

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Donna Lynne

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Naresh Mandava MD

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Christine Marquez-Hudson

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Susan B McIntire

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Bruce Oreck

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Jesus Salazar

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Leo M Tilman

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Mark S Sexton

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Peter A Dea

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • John E Freyer

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Lisa Levin Appel

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Montgomery C Cleworth

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • George Sparks

    President & CEO

    Total calculated
    $504,283
    From this org
    $487,202
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $17,081
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $406,555
    Bonus
    $80,647
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $16,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $581
    Filer's total
    $504,283
  • Edward Scholz

    Executive Vice President, Finance & Business Opera

    Total calculated
    $335,538
    From this org
    $311,355
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $24,183
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $246,074
    Bonus
    $65,143
    Other
    $138
    Deferred
    $13,615
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,568
    Filer's total
    $335,538
  • Nancy Walsh

    Executive Vice President, Experiences & Partnershi

    Total calculated
    $295,076
    From this org
    $266,353
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $28,723
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $215,814
    Bonus
    $50,143
    Other
    $396
    Deferred
    $13,895
    Nontaxable benefits
    $14,828
    Filer's total
    $295,076
  • Freeda Warren

    Senior Vice President, Development

    Total calculated
    $343,241
    From this org
    $339,355
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $3,886
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $89,080
    Bonus
    $20,143
    Other
    $230,132
    Deferred
    $3,628
    Nontaxable benefits
    $258
    Filer's total
    $343,241
  • Christina Fritts

    Vice President, Development

    Total calculated
    $193,856
    From this org
    $187,419
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $6,437
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $163,683
    Bonus
    $23,176
    Other
    $560
    Deferred
    $5,656
    Nontaxable benefits
    $781
    Filer's total
    $193,856
  • John Demboski

    Senior Vice President, Science

    Total calculated
    $201,865
    From this org
    $179,021
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $22,844
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $168,620
    Bonus
    $10,143
    Other
    $258
    Deferred
    $9,393
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,451
    Filer's total
    $201,865
  • Eric Boen

    Vice President, Technology

    Total calculated
    $203,095
    From this org
    $178,954
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $24,141
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $168,553
    Bonus
    $10,143
    Other
    $258
    Deferred
    $9,431
    Nontaxable benefits
    $14,710
    Filer's total
    $203,095
  • Nicole Lucero-Holub

    Vice President, Human Resources

    Total calculated
    $203,178
    From this org
    $179,123
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $24,055
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $168,842
    Bonus
    $10,143
    Other
    $138
    Deferred
    $9,297
    Nontaxable benefits
    $14,758
    Filer's total
    $203,178
  • Jeffrey Joplin

    Vice President, Operations

    Total calculated
    $192,193
    From this org
    $177,463
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $14,730
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $158,242
    Bonus
    $19,083
    Other
    $138
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $14,730
    Filer's total
    $192,193
  • Ashley Bassim

    Vice President, Finance & Revenue

    Total calculated
    $193,571
    From this org
    $187,704
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $5,867
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $177,471
    Bonus
    $10,143
    Other
    $90
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $5,867
    Filer's total
    $193,571
  • Elizabeth Davis

    Vice President, Exhibitions, Experiences & Innovat

    Total calculated
    $184,514
    From this org
    $164,076
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $20,438
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $146,906
    Bonus
    $16,732
    Other
    $438
    Deferred
    $8,485
    Nontaxable benefits
    $11,953
    Filer's total
    $184,514

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

Answered no

  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

Part I, Line 4a
Freeda Warren received severance in the amount of $230,000.
Part I, Line 7
Each year, bonuses are discussed and approved by the Compensation Committee. Decisions are based on general performance by personnel.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

  • DMNS Foundation

    501(c)(3) · Support the activities of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science · CO

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
11 September 2024
IRS schema version
2023v5.1
Source object
202402719349301320

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