COALITION FOR THE UPPER SOUTH PLATTE
A Healthy Watershed ~ Now and in the Future
Mission
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.
Ruling year
1998
Executive Director
John Geerdes
Main address
PO Box 726
Lake George, CO 80827 USA
Formerly known as
Upper South Platte Watershed Protection Association
EIN
84-1469785
NTEE code
Natural Resource Conservation and Protection (C30)
Fire Prevention / Protection / Control (M24)
Other Recreation, Sports, or Leisure Activities N.E.C. (N99)
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
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Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
We understand that environmental challenges don’t stay within jurisdictional boundaries; therefore solving them can’t happen as long as we confine ourselves to lines drawn on maps, and; We need everyone who depends on a resource, who has a stake in the outcome, to come to the table and work cooperatively in order to succeed in addressing the most pressing environmental problems.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Forest Health
CUSP AIDES PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE CREATION OF DEFENSIBLE SPACE AROUND DWELLINGS AND OTHER STRUCTURES, WORKS WITH COMMUNITIES TO WRITE COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLANS, AND MONITORS ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES OF FOREST MANAGEMENT PROJECTS ON PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LANDS.
RIVER RESTORATION
WE WORK ON RESTORING RIPARIAN AREAS AND PROPER RIVER FUNCTION TO REDUCE SEDIMENTATION AND IMPROVE HABITAT FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE, AND FOR RECREATION.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
CUSP WORKS WITH STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE WATERSHED AND IN COLORADO'S FRONT RANGE.
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of free participants on field trips
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Related Program
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Environmental Education work with local school districts, including monitoring trips to High Creek Fen.
Number of invasive species removed from managed area(s)
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
RIVER RESTORATION
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Focus on A & B List invasive weeds and invasive snails and mussels in waterways throughout the watershed and surrounding areas. 140 Acres treated for weeds in 2019.
Acres of land that have been reforested by the organization
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Forest Health
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Planted 600 trees in burn areas in 2020.
Number of burned acres rehabilitated
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Forest Health
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Decreasing
Context Notes
Work in Weston Pass Burn area, continuing work in Hayman and Waldo Canyon burn areas
Acres of wildfire mitigation
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Age groups
Related Program
Forest Health
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Mitigation through Neighborhood Chipping Program, Slash Sites, and mitigation programs
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Protection of ecological health and water quality. We believe that ecological health and water quality are essential to society and we are dedicated to their protection and enhancement.
We must ensure the sustainability of the natural resources within the watershed. We strive to maintain options for future generations.
The power of coalition. We believe in bringing together many interests.
Community. We respect the values of the people we serve. We recognize the unique values of different communities and interest groups. We believe in grassroots action.
Voluntary action. We believe in a voluntary, nonregulatory, non-mandated approach
Economic sustainability. We recognize the economic needs of the local communities and the dependence upon the natural resources and will suppo
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
1.Identify problem areas of degraded water quality or ecological health and strategic targets for on-the-ground projects through effective monitoring, analysis, and planning processes.
2. Identify actions to protect and restore water quality and ecological health that can be implemented with local stakeholders.
3. Facilitate or perform successful on-the-ground projects.
4.Coordinate monitoring and maintenance of data (including GIS and mapping data) developed by CUSP or other partner entities and organizations.
5.Educate and engage residents, upstream and downstream stakeholders.
6. Ensure the viability of the organization, including increasing non-grant funding.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Over 20 years of experience has empowered CUSP to grow into one of the leading organizations of its type in the country. We have received many national and regional awards and recognition for our efforts. We have continued our leadership across the state and the nation, participating in a variety of larger initiatives, such as the national Fire Adapted Communities network.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
CUSP is celebrating our second decade of service in the Upper South Platte Watershed. We completed the Greater Woodland Park Community Wildfire Protection Plan, more than doubling the area where we are planning work. The plan will enable CUSP and our partners to strategically implement fuel mitigation projects in the years to come.
We also find time to work on trails, water quality monitoring, environmental education and a myriad of other programs that benefit out watershed and communities.
Our weed program is a small part of our work, but we are seeing significant reductions in the invasive species in our watershed by partnering with private landowners to treat weeds on their property.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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Who are the people you serve with your mission?
Stakeholders in the Upper South Platte Watershed. This includes residents, property owners, land management agencies, government, downstream water users, recreationists in the area.
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How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Suggestion box/email, One on one information gathering,
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals,
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What significant change resulted from feedback?
Participation in regional advisory committees and public outreach to inform and advise stakeholders of actions they can take to protect the watershed, and how CUSP can help.
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With whom is the organization sharing feedback?
Our staff, Our board,
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How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship?
Feedback informs us of the stakeholder's priorities, and how we can focus our efforts to support those priorities.
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We act on the feedback we receive,
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time,
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
COALITION FOR THE UPPER SOUTH PLATTE
Board of directorsas of 11/3/2021
Lynne Buchanan
Karen Berry
Jefferson Conservation Dist
Lynne Buchanan
Interested Individual
Mary Dawson
Aurora Water
Marc Dettenrieder
Teller County
Swithin Dick
Centennial Water
Dan Drucker
CCWCD
Tom Eisenman
Park County
Eric Howell
Colorado Springs Utilities
Jim Idema
Interested Individual
Lynda James
USPWCD
Don Logelin
Pikes Peak Trout Unlimited
Patrick O'Connell
Jefferson County
Suzanne O'Neill
CO Wildlife Fed
Zak Humbles
Douglas County
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 08/10/2021GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
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