Form990EZ
Click to see attachment
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Short Form
Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax
Under section 501(c), 527, or 4947(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code (except private foundations)
bullet Do not enter social security numbers on this form as it may be made public.


bullet Go to www.irs.gov/Form990EZ for the latest information.
OMB No. 1545-1150
2017
Open to Public
Inspection
A
For the 2017 calendar year, or tax year beginning 01-01-2017, and ending 12-31-2017
B
Check if applicable:
C Name of organization
TRAILS UTAH
 
Number and street (or P. O. box, if mail is not delivered to street address)P O BOX 58802
 
Room/suite
City or town, state or province, country, and ZIP or foreign postal code SALT LAKE CITY, UT841580802
D Employer identification number

45-4929230
E Telephone number

(801) 550-0676
F Group Exemption
Numberbullet  
G Accounting Method: Other (specify) bullet   H Check bulletI Website:bulletWWW.TRAILSUTAH.ORGJ Tax-exempt status (check only one) - Click to see attachment(   ) bullet (insert no.) or
K Form of organization:  
L Add lines 5b, 6c, and 7b to line 9 to determine gross receipts. If gross receipts are $200,000 or more, or if total assets (Part II, column (B) below) are $500,000 or more, file Form 990 instead of Form 990-EZ ...........................bullet $ 63,050
Part
Revenue, Expenses, and Changes in Net Assets or Fund Balances (see the instructions for Part I) Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part I.....................
VerticalRevenue 1 Contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts received .................... 1 62,955
2 Program service revenue including government fees and contracts ............... 2  
3 Membership dues and assessments ........................... 3  
4 Investment income ........................... 4 95
5a Gross amount from sale of assets other than inventory ..... 5a  
b Less: cost or other basis and sales expenses ....... 5b  
c Gain or (loss) from sale of assets other than inventory (Subtract line 5b from line 5a) ...... 5c  
6 Gaming and fundraising events
a Gross income from gaming (attach Schedule G if greater than $15,000) 6a  
b Gross income from fundraising events (not including $   of contributions from fundraising events reported on line 1) (attach Schedule G if the sum of such gross income and contributions exceeds $15,000) ..6b  
c Less: direct expenses from gaming and fundraising events ... 6c  
d Net income or (loss) from gaming and fundraising events (add lines 6a and 6b and subtract line 6c) 6d  
7a Gross sales of inventory, less returns and allowances ...... 7a  
b Less: cost of goods sold ............. 7b  
c Gross profit or (loss) from sales of inventory (Subtract line 7b from line 7a) ......... 7c  
8 Other revenue (describe in Schedule O) .......... 8  
9 Total revenue. Add lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5c, 6d, 7c, and 8 .............. Bullet 9 63,050
VerticalExpenses 10 Grants and similar amounts paid (list in Schedule O) ............ 10  
11 Benefits paid to or for members ................ 11  
12 Salaries, other compensation, and employee benefits ................ 12 6,000
13 Professional fees and other payments to independent contractors ............ 13 135,004
14 Occupancy, rent, utilities, and maintenance ................... 14  
15 Printing, publications, postage, and shipping .............. 15 90
16 Other expenses (describe in Schedule O) .............. 16 3,656
17 Total expenses. Add lines 10 through 16 .............. Bullet 17 144,750
VerticalNetAssets 18 Excess or (deficit) for the year (Subtract line 17 from line 9) ............ 18 -81,700
19 Net assets or fund balances at beginning of year (from line 27, column (A)) (must agree with
end-of-year figure reported on prior year’s return) ............ 19 127,843
20 Other changes in net assets or fund balances (explain in Schedule O) .......... 20  
21 Net assets or fund balances at end of year. Combine lines 18 through 20 ....... 21 46,143
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the separate instructions.
Cat. No. 10642I Form 990-EZ (2017)
Page 2
Form 990-EZ (2017)
Page 2
Part Balance Sheets (see the instructions for Part II)Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part II.................

(A) Beginning of year(B) End of year
22Cash, savings, and investments................
127,843
22
46,143
23Land and buildings....................
 
23
 
24Other assets (describe in Schedule O) ..........
 
24
 
25Total assets......................
127,843
25
46,143
26
Total liabilities (describe in Schedule O) .............
 
26
 
27Net assets or fund balances (line 27 of column (B) must agree with line 21)
127,843
27
46,143
Part Statement of Program Service Accomplishments (see the instructions for Part III) Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part III . . Expenses
(Required for section 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations; optional for others.)
What is the organization's primary exempt purpose? TRAILS UTAH IS AN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TRAILS ADVOCACY, PLANNING, FUNDING AND BUILDING IN NEEDED AREAS THROUGHOUT UTAH.
Describe the organization’s program service accomplishments for each of its three largest program services, as measured by expenses. In a clear and concise manner, describe the services provided, the number of persons benefited, and other relevant information for each program title.
28 GRIT MILL CLIMBING TRAIL PROJECT - IN 2017 TRAILS UTAH CONDUCTED THE SECOND PHASE OF THE GRIT MILL CLIMBING TRAIL PROJECT IN COORDINATION WITH OUR PARTNERS THE SALT LAKE CLIMBERS ALLIANCE AND THE SALT LAKE RANGER DISTRICT OF THE UINTA-WASATCH-CACHE NATIONAL FOREST. IN THIS PHASE WE CONTRACTED WITH A PROFESSIONAL TRAIL BUILDING COMPANY, SINGLETRACK TRAILS, BASED IN COLORADO TO HELP US CONSTRUCT APPROXIMATELY .6 MILES OF A TRAIL THROUGH EXCEEDINGLY STEEP, ROUGH, ROCKY TERRAIN. WHILE ABOUT A THIRD OF THE WORK WAS ABLE TO BE ACCOMPLISHED USING A SPECIALIZED MINI-EXCAVATOR, THE REMAINDER HAD TO BE DONE BY HAND. THE WORK DONE BY HAND INVOLVED MOVING MANY LARGE GRANITE ROCKS INTO PLACE TO CREATE STAIRS AND HARDENED TRAIL SURFACES. THE RESULT IS A STUNNINGLY WELL-CRAFTED TRAIL THAT CONNECTS THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S ALPENBOCH LOOP TRAIL WITH AN AREA UP CANYON THAT WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME A PARKING AREA AND UPPER ACCESS FOR THE GRIT MILL CLIMBING AREA.
(Grants $   ) If this amount includes foreign grants, check here ...MediumBullet
28a 71,602
29 DESOLATION TRAIL REHABILITATION PROJECT - COMPLETION OF THE DESOLATION TRAIL REHABILITATION PROJECT WAS ALSO ACHIEVED IN 2017. THIS PROJECT INVOLVED THE REHABILITATION, AND IN SOME PLACES RE-ESTABLISHMENT, A HIKING TRAIL WITHIN THE MT. OLYMPUS WILDERNESS AREA OF THE UINTA-WASATCH-CACHE NATIONAL FOREST. THE LENGTH OF THE ENTIRE PROJECT WAS ALMOST NINE MILES. THE SECTION COMPLETED IN 2017 WAS APPROXIMATELY 2.7 MILES AND EXTENDED FROM PORTER PASS, ACCESSED THROUGH MILLCREEK CANYON, AND EXTENDED SOUTHWEST TO THAYNE'S CANYON. TRAILS UTAH APPLIED FOR A GRANT THROUGH UTAH STATE PARK'S RECREATIONAL TRAIL PROGRAM AND WAS ABLE TO MATCH FUNDS FROM SALT LAKE COUNTY TO GET THIS IMPORTANT BACKCOUNTRY TRAIL PROJECT COMPLETED. CREWS FROM THE UTAH CONSERVATION CORPS WERE HIRED TO DO THE WORK WHICH INVOLVED PACKING IN TOOLS, CAMPING GEAR AND SUPPLIES TO REMOTE LOCATIONS ALONG THE ROUTE. WATER WAS GENEROUSLY PACKED IN WITH THE HELP OF UTAH'S BACKCOUNTRY HORSEMEN.
(Grants $   ) If this amount includes foreign grants, check here ...MediumBullet
29a 53,500
30 MINERAL FORK TRAIL PROJECT - TRAILS UTAH PARTNERED WITH THE SALT LAKE RANGER DISTRICT (SLRD) AND UTAH STATE PARKS IN 2017 TO REOPEN THE MINERAL FORK TRAIL IN BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON (SL COUNTY), WHICH HAD BEEN CLOSED DUE TO ROCK FALL. THIS TRAIL IS IMPORTANT TO THE SLRD AND UTAH STATE PARKS AS IT IS THE ONLY TRAIL IN THE CENTRAL WASATCH THAT IS OPEN TO MOTORIZED TRAVEL. TRAILS UTAH PROVIDED FUNDING TO THE FS TO HELP DRILL AND BLAST HANGING BOULDERS AND ROCK DEBRIS AND HIRED SKYLINE CONTRACTORS TO COME UP WITH EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE THE DEBRIS PILE, RE- ESTABLISH THE TRAIL TREAD AND STABILIZE THE SLOPE ABOVE AND BELOW THE IMPROVED TRAIL.
(Grants $   ) If this amount includes foreign grants, check here ...MediumBullet
30a 3,300
FOOTHILL TRAIL SYSTEM - TRAILS UTAH ALSO SAW SUCCESS IN 2017 IN THE AREA OF PLANNING. GRANT MONEY RAISED THROUGH A LOCAL FOUNDATION ENABLED TU TO CONDUCT A YEAR OF STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS THAT BROUGHT TOGETHER THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH, UTAH STATE PARKS, SALT LAKE CITY MUNICIPAL, THE STATE'S PRIMARY LAND CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION, UTAH OPEN LANDS, AND NUMEROUS OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES TO CREATE A SHARED VISION FOR A FOOTHILL TRAIL SYSTEM RUNNING NORTH TO SOUTH THROUGH THE NORTH EASTERN FOOTHILLS OF THE SALT LAKE VALLEY. BECAUSE OF THE CONSENSUS THAT WAS DEVELOPED THROUGH THE PROCESS SALT LAKE CITY STEPPED FORWARD AND COMMITTED TO FUNDING A COMPREHENSIVE TRAIL MASTER PLANNING EFFORT WITH HIRED PROFESSIONAL PLANNERS. THAT PLAN, WHICH INVOLVED SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY INPUT, HAS SINCE BEEN COMPLETED AND WAS RECENTLY APPROVED AND FUNDED BY THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL. THIS NEW TRAIL SYSTEM WILL ADD 73 MILES OF TRAIL TO THE EXISTING TRAIL SYSTEM, CREATE SEVERAL NEW TRAILHEADS, PUT A NEEDED MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN PLACE AND BECOME A SIGNIFICANT RECREATIONAL RESOURCE FOR BOTH RESIDENTS AND VISITORS OF SALT LAKE CITY. BONNEVILLE SHORELINE TRAIL - ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT AND ONGOING ADVOCACY EFFORT CONDUCTED BY TRAILS UTAH INVOLVED THE CENTRAL WASATCH NATIONAL CONSERVATION AND RECREATION AREA LEGISLATION. IN THIS BILL, SPONSORED AND INTRODUCED BY JASON CHAFFETZ, UTAH'S CONGRESSMAN FROM THE 2ND DISTRICT IN 2016, NEW WILDERNESS IN THE WASATCH MOUNTAINS IS TO BE CREATED AND EXISTING WILDERNESS BOUNDARIES ARE TO BE AMENDED TO ALLOW FOR A SHARED-USE BONNEVILLE SHORELINE TRAIL (BST). THE BST, PLANNED AND EMBRACED BY COMMUNITIES AROUND THE SALT LAKE VALLEY AND BEYOND, WAS ENVISIONED AS A NON-MOTORIZED URBAN-INTERFACE TRAIL AVAILABLE TO FOOT TRAFFIC AND MOUNTAIN BIKERS LINKING NEIGHBORHOODS TOGETHER THROUGHOUT NORTHERN UTAH. TRAILS UTAH, THROUGH STUDY AND FIELD WORK, IDENTIFIED RETRACTIONS DESCRIBED IN THE BILL COULD NOT, IN FACT, SUPPORT A SHARED USE TRAIL BECAUSE OF GEOGRAPHIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY CONSTRAINTS. WE SUBMITTED OUR FINDINGS IN TESTIMONY ON THE BILL TO THE HOUSE RESOURCES COMMITTEE AND HAD TO OPPOSE THE BILL IN ITS CURRENT FORM. WE HAVE SINCE JOINED A COALITION WITH OTHER TRAIL ORGANIZATIONS, CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS, THE FOREST SERVICE, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN THE BILL IS RE-INTRODUCED IT CONTAINS WILDERNESS BOUNDARY RETRACTIONS THAT CAN ADEQUATELY ACCOMMODATE BOTH HIKERS AND BIKERS ALONG THE BST.
(Grants $   ) If this amount includes foreign grants, check here ...MediumBullet
900
31 Other program services (describe in Schedule O) ................
(Grants $   ) If this amount includes foreign grants, check here...MediumBullet
31a
32 Total program service expenses (add lines 28a through 31a).......... bullet 32 129,302
Part
List of Officers, Directors, Trustees, and Key Employees (list each one even if not compensated — see the instructions for Part IV)Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part IV............
(a) Name and title (b) Average
hours per week
devoted to position
(c) Reportable compensation
(Forms W-2/1099-MISC) (if not paid, enter -0-)
(d) Health benefits, contributions to employee benefit plans, and
deferred compensation
(e) Estimated amount
of other compensation
SARAH BENNETT  
 
EXECUTIVE DI
30.00 6,000    
JOHN KNOBLOCK  
 
CHAIR
20.00 0    
TRACY DUTSON  
 
VICE CHAIR
2.00 0    
STAN PLAISIER  
 
TREASURER
4.00 0    
MATT HOBSON-ROHRER  
 
SECRETARY
2.00 0    
KEVIN CHRISTOPHERSON  
 
DIRECTOR
2.00 0    
Form 990-EZ (2017)
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Form 990-EZ (2017)
Page 3
Part
Other Information
(Note the Schedule A and personal benefit contract statement requirements in the
instructions for Part V.) Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part V.......
Yes
No
33
Did the organization engage in any significant activity not previously reported to the IRS? If "Yes," provide a detailed description of each activity in Schedule O ...................
33
 
No
34
Were any significant changes made to the organizing or governing documents? If "Yes," attach a conformed copy of the amended documents if they reflect a change to the organization’s name. Otherwise, explain the changeon Schedule O (see instructions) ..........................
34
 
No
35a
Did the organization have unrelated business gross income of $1,000 or more during the year from business activities (such as those reported on lines 2, 6a, and 7a, among others)? ............
35a
 
No
b
If "Yes," to line 35a, has the organization filed a Form 990-T for the year? If "No," provide an explanation in Schedule O
35b
 
 
c
Was the organization a section 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), or 501(c)(6) organization subject to section 6033(e) notice, reporting, and proxy tax requirements during the year? If "Yes," complete Schedule C, Part III
35c
 
No
36
Did the organization undergo a liquidation, dissolution, termination, or significant disposition of net assets during the year? If “Yes," complete applicable parts of Schedule N ................
36
 
No
37a
Enter amount of political expenditures, direct or indirect, as described in the instructions. bullet
37a
 
b
Did the organization file Form 1120-POL for this year?...................
37b
 
No
38a
Did the organization borrow from, or make any loans to, any officer, director, trustee, or key employee or were
any such loans made in a prior year and still outstanding at the end of the tax year covered by this return?..
38a
 
No
b
If “Yes," complete Schedule L, Part II and enter the total amount involved .
38b
 
39
Section 501(c)(7) organizations. Enter:
a
Initiation fees and capital contributions included on line 9.......
39a
 
b
Gross receipts, included on line 9, for public use of club facilities.....
39b
 
40a
Section 501(c)(3) organizations. Enter amount of tax imposed on the organization during the year under:
section 4911 bullet   ; section 4912 bullet   ; section 4955 bullet  
b
Section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(29) organizations. Did the organization engage in any section 4958 excess benefit transaction during the year, or did it engage in an excess benefit transaction in a prior year that has not been reported on any of its prior Forms 990 or 990-EZ? If “Yes," complete Schedule L, Part I
40b
 
No
c
Section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(29) organizations. Enter amount of tax imposed on organization managers or disqualified persons during the year under sections 4912, 4955, and 4958bullet  
d
Section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(29) organizations. Enter amount of tax on line 40c reimbursed by the organizationbullet  
e
All organizations. At any time during the tax year, was the organization a party to a prohibited tax shelter transaction? If "Yes," complete Form 8886-T ................
40e
 
No
41List the states with which a copy of this return is filed. bullet
42aThe organization's books are in care of bulletSARAH BENNETT
Telephone no.bullet (801) 550-0676
Located at bulletPO BOX 58802SALT LAKE CITY,UT ZIP + 4bullet84158
Yes
No
b
At any time during the calendar year, did the organization have an interest in or a signature or other authority over a financial account in a foreign country (such as a bank account, securities account, or other financial account)? . .
42b
 
No
If “Yes," enter the name of the foreign country: bullet
See the instructions for exceptions and filing requirements for FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR)
c
At any time during the calendar year, did the organization maintain an office outside the U.S.? . . .
42c
 
No
If “Yes," enter the name of the foreign country: bullet
43......bullet
and enter the amount of tax-exempt interest received or accrued during the tax year....bullet43
 
Yes
No
44a
Did the organization maintain any donor advised funds during the year? If "Yes," Form 990 must be completed insteadof Form 990-EZ.............................
44a
 
No
b
Did the organization operate one or more hospital facilities during the year? If "Yes," Form 990 must be completedinstead of Form 990-EZ.............................
44b
 
No
c
Did the organization receive any payments for indoor tanning services during the year?.........
44c
 
No
d
If "Yes," to line 44c, has the organization filed a Form 720 to report these payments? If "No," provide an
explanation in Schedule O ............................
44d
 
 
45a
Did the organization have a controlled entity within the meaning of section 512(b)(13)?.........
45a
 
No
45b
Did the organization receive any payment from or engage in any transaction with a controlled entity within the meaning of section 512(b)(13)? If "Yes," Form 990 and Schedule R may need to be completed instead of Form 990-EZ (see instructions).........................
45b
 
No
Form 990-EZ (2017)
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Form 990-EZ (2017)
Page 4
Yes
No
46
Did the organization engage, directly or indirectly, in political campaign activities on behalf of or in opposition tocandidates for public office? If “Yes," complete Schedule C, Part I. ...........
46
 
No
Part
Section 501(c)(3) organizations only All section 501(c)(3) organizations must answer questions 47- 49b and 52, and complete the tables for lines 50 and 51. Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part VI ..................
Yes
No
47
Did the organization engage in lobbying activities or have a section 501(h) election in effect during the tax year? If "Yes," complete Schedule C, Part II .......................
47
 
No
48
Is the organization a school as described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii)? If "Yes," complete Schedule E ..
48
 
No
49a
Did the organization make any transfers to an exempt non-charitable related organization?......
49a
 
No
b
If "Yes," was the related organization a section 527 organization?................
49b
 
 
50
Complete this table for the organization's five highest compensated employees (other than officers, directors, trustees and key employees) who each received more than $100,000 of compensation from the organization. If there is none, enter "None."
(a) Name and title of each employee (b) Average
hours per week
devoted to position
(c) Reportable compensation
(Forms W-2/1099-MISC)
(d) Health benefits, contributions to employee benefit plans, and deferred compensation (e) Estimated amount of other compensation
NONE
f
Total number of other employees paid over $100,000 .............bullet  

51
Complete this table for the organization's five highest compensated independent contractors who each received more than $100,000 of compensation from the organization. If there is none, enter "None."
(a) Name and business address of each independent contractor (b) Type of service (c) Compensation
NONE
d
Total number of other independent contractors each receiving over $100,000..........bullet  


52
Did the organization complete Schedule A? NOTE. All section 501(c)(3) organizations must attach a
completed Schedule A ........................................bullet

Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return, including accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is true, correct, and complete. Declaration of preparer (other than officer) is based on all information of which preparer has any knowledge.
Sign Here
JumboBullet 2018-11-14
Signature of officer Date
JumboBullet SARAH BENNETTEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Type or print name and title
Paid Preparer Use Only
Print/Type preparer's name
J DOUGLAS FARREN CPA
Preparer's signature
Date
2018-11-14
PTIN
P00334497
Firm's name bullet
J DOUGLAS FARREN CPA PLLC
 
Firm's EIN bullet81-1027821
Firm's address bullet
5337 E EMIGRATION CANYON RD
 
SALT LAKE CITY, UT84108
Phone no. (801) 583-2218
May the IRS discuss this return with the preparer shown above? See instructions .........bullet
Form 990-EZ (2017)

Additional Data


Software ID:  
Software Version:  

Form 990-EZ, Special Condition Description:
Special Condition Description