Colorado Horse Rescue

What Colorado Horse Rescue does

Colorado Horse Rescue (CHR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1986 and headquartered on a 50-acre owned property in Longmont, Colorado. As the longest-standing horse rescue in the state, CHR operates a comprehensive equine welfare platform spanning rescue, rehabilitation, adoption, foster placement, training, and end-of-life care. The organization runs multiple specialized programs including the Foster Program, Companion Connection (for non-riding horses), Leg Up Program (financial crisis assistance for horse owners), Compassionate Endings (euthanasia support), and The Annie Project (dude ranch horse retirement, acquired from Drifter's Hearts of Hope in 2024).

CHR's core technology asset is the HorseAlert mobile application, launched in April 2024 in partnership with Boulder-based software consultancy Initial Capacity. HorseAlert functions as a free, rideshare-style emergency evacuation system connecting Colorado horse owners needing disaster-driven transport with volunteer drivers possessing appropriate trailers and skills. The application was funded by the Zarpet Family Foundation and represents a novel community infrastructure layer for the state's equine population.

The organization's revenue model is philanthropic, with 91% of operating revenue sourced from individual donors and the balance from grants (ASPCA, UnitedWay Miami), corporate sponsorships (Cinch, Haybuy, Edward Jones, iFOAM, Purina, C Lazy U Ranch), and adoption fees. CHR employs 11-50 staff and is supported by approximately 195 active volunteers who contributed 16,194 hours in 2023 (valued at over $500K). The organization holds multiple accreditations including Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (2011), ASPCA Right Horse Partner (2018), EQUUS Foundation Mentor Accreditation, Platinum GuideStar rating, and consecutive GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Nonprofit recognition.

Name

Colorado Horse Rescue

Legal name

Colorado Horse Rescue

Website

https://chr.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Colorado Horse Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 that operates a 50-acre equine welfare campus in Longmont, Colorado, providing rescue, rehabilitation, adoption, training, and emergency evacuation services (via its HorseAlert app) to at-risk horses across the state.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equine Rescue and Welfare Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Animal Production (115210), Support Activities for Animal Production (1152)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Sanctuaries & Long-Term Care (Farm, Equine, Exotic) (BPAGAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD), Equine Rehabilitation, Layup & Retirement Facilities (AFAEAGAJ), Equine Transport & Hauling Services (AFAEAGAI), Equine Care & Stable Management (EDAOAOAE)

Keywords

• Equine rescue services
• Horse adoption programs
• Equine welfare services
• Animal sanctuary operations
• Nonprofit horse rehabilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Longmont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Philanthropy: Individual donors account for ninety-one percent of the organization's annual operating revenue. Supports include cash donations, DAFs, qualified charitable distributions from retirement assets, appreciated stock or real estate contributions, and legacy giving through estate plans.
2. Grants: Funding from foundations and organizations such as the ASPCA ($75,000 grant) and Zarpet Family Foundation for disaster preparedness and response.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners provide financial support, product donations, or cause marketing programs (e.g., Cinch, Haybuy, Edward Jones, iFOAM, Purina, C Lazy U Ranch whiskey partnership).
4. Adoption Fees: Fees collected from adopters for horses placed through the rescue organization.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Colorado Horse Rescue operates a 50-acre equine rescue facility in Longmont, Colorado, providing rescue, rehabilitation, training, adoption, and rehoming services for at-risk horses. It also runs specialized programs including a free community-based emergency evacuation mobile app (HorseAlert), crisis financial aid (Leg Up Program), end-of-life support (Compassionate Endings), dude ranch retirement (The Annie Project), and foster placement services.

Product overview

Colorado Horse Rescue operates as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization offering a comprehensive suite of equine welfare programs. Core offerings include horse adoption services with the Horse Match Profile matching system, a Foster Program (with standard, companion, liberty, and Training Foster tracks), and Equine Training Programs utilizing positive reinforcement methods. Key specialized programs include HorseAlert (free emergency evacuation system), the Leg Up Program (financial crisis assistance), Compassionate Endings (end-of-life care), and The Annie Project (dude ranch horse retirement). Supporting programs include Companion Connection, facility tours, the annual Mane Event gala, Sponsor A Horse, and Corporate Partnership opportunities. The PEAK Training Challenge competition showcases training programs and helps horses find adoptive homes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HorseAlert: A free community-based equine evacuation system that matches people needing to evacuate horses with volunteer drivers who have the necessary skills and equipment, designed to help safely evacuate horses during natural disasters.
• The Annie Project
• Leg Up Program
• Compassionate Endings

Products and services

• Horse Adoption Services Facilitates matching rescue horses with appropriate adoptive homes through a comprehensive Horse Match Profile process, including home visits and ongoing adopter support.
• Foster Program Places horses still seeking permanent homes with individuals and families on a temporary or extended basis, including standard foster homes, companion horses, liberty horses, and a Training Foster program for greener horses.
• Equine Training Programs Training programs utilizing positive reinforcement methods, including colt starting, rehabilitation for traumatized horses, and the PEAK Training Challenge competition that showcases trainers working with rescue horses over 100 days.
• HorseAlert A free, community-based equine emergency evacuation mobile application that connects Colorado horse owners needing evacuation assistance during natural disasters with volunteer drivers who have trailers and appropriate skills, functioning like a rideshare app for emergency horse transport.
• Leg Up Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 252 horses received safe solutions (2024)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Hazel's Beverage WorldminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2024Boulder-based beverage retailer partnered with Sazerac for cause marketing. For every 750ml bottle of Wheatley American Vodka purchased, Sazerac donates $1 to CHR.
• Initial CapacitycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 April 2024Boulder-based software consultancy that developed the HorseAlert application. Has expertise in emergency systems including Amber Alert and reverse 911. Collaborated with CHR to build the free evacuation app.
• Drifter's Hearts of HopecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024All-volunteer equine rescue that created The Annie Project. Handed over program reins to CHR to enable national scale expansion. CHR now manages The Annie Project for dude ranch horse retirement.
• The Right Horse InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018ASPCA program dedicated to massively increasing successful horse adoptions in the US. CHR is an official Right Horse partner.
• Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides bi-annual dental care for CHR horses and discounted hospitalization fees. CHR returns the favor by providing real-world experience for next generation of equine veterinarians through the partnership.
• EQUUS FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEQUUS Foundation connects individuals and organizations in the equine community committed to horse welfare. CHR received EQUUS Foundation Mentor Accreditation and has been grant recipient for minimum two consecutive years.
• C Lazy U RanchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDude ranch that sparked The Annie Project when their horse Annie was discovered at livestock auction. Committed to retiring horses through The Annie Project and partners with Locke + Co Distilling on limited edition whiskey, pledging donations to CHR.
• CinchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of Colorado Horse Rescue, featured on website sponsors page.
• HaybuyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of Colorado Horse Rescue, featured on website sponsors page.
• Edward JonesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of Colorado Horse Rescue, featured on website sponsors page.
• iFOAMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of Colorado Horse Rescue, featured on website sponsors page.
• PurinaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing product support to CHR, featured on partners page.
• Horseware IrelandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of PEAK Training Challenge event, helping make the competition possible.
• A Home for Every HorseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership featured on CHR partners page supporting horse rescue efforts.
• The Right HorseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership featured on CHR partners page supporting horse adoption initiatives.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Habitat for Horses: Texas-based equine rescue and sanctuary operating large-acreage horse rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption. Comparable to CHR in mission, scale, and operating model.
• Mustang Heritage Foundation: Nonprofit dedicated to preserving American mustangs through placement and adoption programs. Comparable to CHR in equine rescue/adoption focus and reliance on trained volunteers.
• Drifter's Hearts of Hope: All-volunteer equine rescue that created The Annie Project and transferred it to Colorado Horse Rescue in 2024 for national scaling. Directly comparable as a small rescue operating dude-ranch horse retirement programs.
• Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society: Nonprofit equine rescue and adoption organization providing rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming services. Comparable to CHR in core mission and operating model.

Emerging players

• Equine Welfare Alliance: Coalition focused on equine welfare, horse slaughter prevention, and rescue advocacy. Comparable as an advocacy and education peer addressing similar at-risk-horse issues as CHR.
• Equine Advocates: Nonprofit equine protection organization focused on rescue, sanctuary, and policy advocacy. Comparable to CHR in mission around at-risk horse rescue and education.

Broad incumbents

• Humane Society of the United States: Largest U.S. animal protection organization with broad equine welfare advocacy. Comparable as a national-scale nonprofit funder/advocate in the same animal welfare space.
• ASPCA: Major national animal welfare organization that funds CHR via grants (e.g., $75K disaster preparedness grant) and operates The Right Horse Initiative. Comparable as a funder and broader animal-welfare incumbent.
• The Right Horse Initiative: ASPCA program dedicated to increasing successful horse adoptions in the U.S. CHR is an official partner. Comparable as a national equine adoption umbrella that coordinates with rescue partners like CHR.

Others

• United Horse Coalition: Coalition addressing at-risk and transition horses through education and rehoming. Comparable as an ecosystem partner working with rescues like CHR on horse-welfare issues.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ColoradoHorseRescue
• Facebookfacebook.com/ColoradoHorseRescue
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/colorado-horse-rescue
• Instagraminstagram.com/coloradohorserescue
• Xx.com/colohorserescue

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Colorado Horse Rescue