Columbia Funds Series Trust I

11/25/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/25/2024 10:39

Summary Prospectus by Investment Company - Form 497K

Columbia Funds Series Trust I
Summary Prospectus
December 1, 2024
Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund
Class
Ticker Symbol
A
COLTX
C
COLCX
Institutional (Class Inst)
CTEZX
Institutional 2 (Class Inst2)
CADMX
Institutional 3 (Class Inst3)
CTEYX
S
CTEDX
Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund's prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund's prospectus, reports to shareholders, statement of additional information and other information about the Fund online at https://www.columbiathreadneedleus.com/resources/literature. If you hold your Fund shares through a financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank), you can get this information at no cost by contacting that financial intermediary. If you hold your Fund shares directly with the Fund, you can get this information at no cost by calling 800.345.6611 or by sending an email to [email protected]. This Summary Prospectus incorporates by reference the Fund's prospectus, dated December 1, 2024, and current Statement of Additional Information.
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Investment Objective
Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund (the Fund) seeks total return, consisting of current income exempt from federal income tax and of capital appreciation, consistent with moderate fluctuation of principal.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and members of your immediate family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in certain classes of shares of eligible funds distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). More information is available about these and other sales charge discounts and waivers from your financial intermediary, and can be found in the Choosing a Share Class section beginning on page 28 of the Fund's prospectus, in Appendix A to the prospectus beginning on page A-1 and in Appendix S to the Statement of Additional Information (SAI) under Sales Charge Waivers beginning on page S-1. 
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Class A
Class C
Classes Inst,
Inst2, Inst3
and S
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a % of offering price)
3.00
%
None
None
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) imposed on redemptions (as a % of the lower of the original
purchase price or current net asset value)
0.75
%(a)
1.00
%(b)
None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Class A
Class C
Class Inst
Class Inst2
Class Inst3
Class S
Management fees
0.46
%
0.46
%
0.46
%
0.46
%
0.46
%
0.46
%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees
0.20
%
0.80
%
0.00
%
0.00
%
0.00
%
0.00
%
Other expenses(c)
0.09
%
0.09
%
0.09
%
0.07
%
0.03
%
0.09
%
Total annual Fund operating expenses(d)
0.75
%
1.35
%
0.55
%
0.53
%
0.49
%
0.55
%
(a)
This charge is imposed on certain investments of $500,000 or more redeemed within 12 months after purchase, with certain limited exceptions.
(b)
This charge applies to redemptions within 12 months after purchase, with certain limited exceptions.
(c)
Other expenses for Class S shares are based on estimated amounts for the Fund's current fiscal year.
(d)
"Total annual Fund operating expenses" include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus for the Fund's currently active share classes because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
 Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund's total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
Class C shares' 10-year cost examples below reflect the Class C shares' 8-year conversion policy. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be: 
1 year
3 years
5 years
10 years
Class A (whether or not shares are redeemed)
$374
$533
$704
$1,202
Class C (assuming redemption of all shares at the end of the period)
$237
$428
$739
$1,459
Class C (assuming no redemption of shares)
$137
$428
$739
$1,459
Class Inst (whether or not shares are redeemed)
$56
$176
$307
$689
Class Inst2 (whether or not shares are redeemed)
$54
$170
$296
$665
Class Inst3 (whether or not shares are redeemed)
$50
$157
$274
$616
1
Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund
1 year
3 years
5 years
10 years
Class S (whether or not shares are redeemed)
$56
$176
$307
$689
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 22% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its total net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in bonds that pay interest exempt from federal income tax (including the federal alternative minimum tax). These securities are issued by states and their political subdivisions, agencies, authorities and instrumentalities and by other qualified issuers. Qualified issuers include issuers located in U.S. territories, commonwealths and possessions, such as Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total net assets in securities the interest on which is subject to federal income tax. The Fund may invest in fixed or variable-rate debt securities. The Fund may invest in bonds of any maturity.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in tax-exempt bonds that, at the time of purchase, are rated investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in bonds (not including pre-refunded bonds) that, at the time of purchase, are rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as "high yield" investments or "junk" bonds) but will invest no more than 25% of its total assets in bonds that, at the time of purchase, are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality to below investment grade bonds.
The Fund may enter into tender option bond (TOB) transactions and may invest in derivatives, such as floating rate municipal securities (floaters) and inverse floating rate municipal securities (inverse floaters) to add incremental income, futures (including interest rate and Treasury bond futures) to manage duration and hedge against changes in interest rates, and swaps, including Municipal Market Data Rate Locks (MMD Rate Locks) to manage duration and hedge against changes in interest rates. Inverse floaters provide the Fund with leveraged exposure to underlying municipal bonds whose interest payments vary inversely with changes in short-term tax-exempt interest rates.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including interest rate futures and other bond futures) to manage interest rates and duration, and inverse floaters to add incremental income.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Interest Rate Risk, Credit Risk, Market Risk, Municipal Securities Risk, and Changing Distribution Level Risk, among others. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money. The value of the Fund's holdings may decline, and the Fund's net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The significance of any specific risk to an investment in the Fund will vary over time depending on the composition of the Fund's portfolio, market conditions, and other factors. You should read all of the risk information below carefully, because any one or more of these risks may result in losses to the Fund.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund normally expects to receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amounts paid by the Fund will vary and generally depend on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund's income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund
2
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Debt instruments backed by an issuer's taxing authority may be subject to legal limits on the issuer's power to increase taxes or otherwise to raise revenue, or may be dependent on legislative appropriation or government aid. Certain debt instruments are backed only by revenues derived from a particular project or source, rather than by an issuer's taxing authority, and thus may have a greater risk of default. Credit rating agencies, such as S&P Global Ratings, Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (Moody's Ratings), Fitch Ratings, Inc. (Fitch), Morningstar DBRS (DBRS) and Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC (KBRA), assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower-rated or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund's derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund's actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial losses for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund's risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk and interest rate risk, while potentially exposing the Fund to counterparty risk, leverage risk and liquidity risk.
Derivatives Risk - Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the "long" position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the "short" position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund's NAV. Futures contracts can increase the Fund's risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk and interest rate risk, while potentially exposing the Fund to counterparty risk, leverage risk and liquidity risk.
Derivatives Risk - Inverse Floaters Risk. Inverse variable or floating rate obligations, sometimes referred to as inverse floaters, are a type of over-the-counter derivative debt instrument with a variable or floating coupon rate that moves in the opposite direction of an underlying reference, typically short-term interest rates. While inverse floaters tend to provide more income than similar term and credit quality fixed-rate bonds, they also exhibit greater volatility in price movement, which could result in significant losses for the Fund. An inverse floater may have the effect of investment leverage to the extent that its coupon rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in the index or reference rate of interest, which could result in increased losses for the Fund. Inverse floaters can increase the Fund's risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk and interest rate risk, while potentially exposing the Fund to counterparty risk, leverage risk and liquidity risk.
3
Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund
Derivatives Risk - Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial position. Swaps can increase the Fund's risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk and interest rate risk, while potentially exposing the Fund to counterparty risk, leverage risk and liquidity risk.
A Municipal Market Data (MMD) Rate Lock permits a Fund to lock in a specific municipal interest rate for a portion of its portfolio to preserve a return on a particular investment or a portion of its portfolio, which in turn protects against any increase in the price of securities to be purchased at a later date. By using an MMD Rate Lock, the Fund can create a synthetic long or short duration position. A Fund will ordinarily use these transactions as a hedge or for duration or risk management, which may not be successful. An MMD Rate Lock is a contract between a Fund and an MMD Rate Lock provider pursuant to which the parties agree to make a net settlement payment to each other on a notional and duration amount, contingent upon whether the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above or below a specified level on the expiration date of the contract. For example, if a Fund buys an MMD Rate Lock and the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is below the specified level on the expiration date, the counterparty to the contract will make a payment to a Fund equal to the specified level minus the actual level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. If the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above the specified level on the expiration date, a Fund will make a payment to the counterparty equal to the actual level minus the specified level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. In connection with investments in MMD Rate Locks, there is a risk that municipal yields will move in the opposite direction than anticipated by a Fund, which would cause the Fund to make payments to its counterparty in the transaction that could adversely affect the Fund's performance.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called "high-yield" or "junk" bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Impairment of Collateral Risk. The value of collateral, if any, securing a loan can decline, and may be insufficient to meet the borrower's obligations or difficult or costly to liquidate. In addition, the Fund's access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, certain floating rate and other loans may not be fully collateralized and may decline in value.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund's investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. For example, a three-year duration means a bond is expected to decrease in value by 3% if interest rates rise 1% and increase in value by 3% if interest rates fall 1%. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that the income generated by its investments may not keep pace with inflation. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases or decreases in interest rates. Higher periods of inflation could lead such authorities to raise interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund's investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund's portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an
Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund
4
interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund's volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund's ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund's investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund's exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or "making a market" in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund's performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund's investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. The liquidity of Fund investments may change significantly over time and certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. The municipal securities market is an over-the-counter market, which means that the Fund purchases and sells investments through municipal bond dealers. The Fund's ability to sell investments held in its portfolio is dependent on the willingness and ability of market participants to provide bids that, in the view of portfolio management, reflect current market prices. Adverse market conditions could result in a lack of liquidity by reducing the number of ready buyers.
Market Risk. The Fund may incur losses due to declines in the value of one or more securities in which it invests. These declines may be due to factors affecting a particular issuer, or the result of, among other things, political, regulatory, market, economic or social developments affecting the relevant market(s) more generally. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Fund's ability to price or value hard-to-value assets in thinly traded and closed markets and could cause significant redemptions and operational challenges. Global economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. These risks may be magnified if certain events or developments adversely interrupt the global supply chain; in these and other circumstances, such risks might affect companies worldwide. As a result, local, regional or global events such as terrorism, war, other conflicts, natural disasters, disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics or other public health issues, recessions, depressions or other events - or the potential for such events - could have a significant negative impact on global economic and market conditions.
Municipal Securities Risk. Municipal securities are debt obligations generally issued to obtain funds for various public purposes, including general financing for state and local governments, or financing for a specific project or public facility, and include obligations of the governments of the U.S. territories, commonwealths and possessions such as Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to the extent such obligations are exempt from state and U.S. federal income taxes. The value of municipal securities can be significantly affected by actual or expected political and legislative changes at the federal or state level. Municipal securities may be fully or partially backed by the taxing authority of the local government, by the credit of a private issuer, by the current or anticipated revenues from a specific project or specific assets or by domestic or foreign entities providing credit support, such as letters of credit,
5
Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund
guarantees or insurance, and are generally classified into general obligation bonds and special revenue obligations. Because many municipal securities are issued to finance projects in sectors such as education, health care, transportation and utilities, conditions in those sectors can affect the overall municipal market.
Issuers in a state, territory, commonwealth or possession in which the Fund invests may experience significant financial difficulties for various reasons, including as the result of events that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled such as economic downturns or similar periods of economic stress, social conflict or unrest, labor disruption and natural disasters. Such financial difficulties may lead to credit rating downgrades or defaults of such issuers which in turn, could affect the market values and marketability of many or all municipal obligations of issuers in such state, territory, commonwealth or possession. The value of the Fund's shares will be negatively impacted to the extent it invests in such securities. The Fund's annual and semiannual reports show the Fund's investment exposures at a point in time. The risk of investing in the Fund is directly correlated to the Fund's investment exposures.
Securities issued by a particular state and its instrumentalities are subject to the risk of unfavorable developments in such state. A municipal security can be significantly affected by adverse tax, legislative, regulatory, demographic or political changes as well as changes in a particular state's (state and its instrumentalities) financial, economic or other condition and prospects.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. As interest rates decrease or spreads narrow on such investments, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of an investment beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on investments with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same or at least the same return it is currently earning.
Tax Risk. Municipal securities generally pay interest that, in the opinion of bond counsel, is free from U.S. federal income tax (and in most cases, the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax). A portion of the Fund's income from such bonds may be taxable to shareholders subject to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax. Income from tax-exempt municipal obligations could be declared taxable, possibly retroactively, because of unfavorable changes in tax laws, adverse interpretations by the Internal Revenue Service, the non-compliant conduct of a bond issuer or under other circumstances. In such event, then the value of the security would likely fall and, as a shareholder of the Fund, you may be required to file an amended tax return and pay additional taxes.
Tender Option Bond Risk. TOB transactions expose the Fund to leverage and credit risk, and generally involve greater risk than direct investments in fixed rate municipal bonds, including the risk of loss of principal. The interest payments that the Fund would typically receive in connection with a TOB transaction (inverse floaters) vary inversely with short-term interest rates and will be reduced (and potentially eliminated) when short-term interest rates increase. In addition, the Fund will be subject to leverage risk to the extent that the Fund uses the proceeds that it receives from a TOB transaction to invest in other securities. The Fund's investment in a TOB will generally underperform the market for fixed rate municipal securities when interest rates rise. The value of and market for such inverse floaters can be volatile and can have limited liquidity. Investments in inverse floaters issued in TOB transactions are derivative instruments and, therefore, are also subject to the risks generally applicable to investments in derivatives.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. Class S shares of the Fund commenced operations after the periods shown in the table below and, therefore, performance information is not yet available. The bar chart shows how the Fund's Class A share performance (without sales charges) has varied for each full calendar year shown. If the sales charges were reflected, returns shown would be lower. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund's returns (after applicable sales charges shown in the Shareholder Fees table in this prospectus) for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund
6
Any share class, such as Class S shares, that does not have available performance for a full calendar year would have annual returns substantially similar to those of Class A shares. The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund's Class A shares (without applicable sales charges) for periods prior to its inception date.
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses and sales charges (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The after-tax returns shown in the Average Annual Total Returns table below are calculated using the highest historical individual U.S. federal marginal income tax rates in effect during the period indicated in the table and do not reflect the impact of state, local or foreign taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your personal tax situation and may differ from those shown in the table. In addition, the after-tax returns shown in the table do not apply to shares held in tax-advantaged accounts such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). The after-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares and will vary for other share classes. Returns after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares are higher than before-tax returns for certain periods shown because they reflect the tax benefit of capital losses realized on the redemption of Fund shares.
The Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com. 
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year*
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart
Best
4th Quarter 2023
8.88%
Worst
1st Quarter 2022
-6.75%
*
Year to Date return as of September 30, 2024: 4.98%
 Average Annual Total Returns After Applicable Sales Charges (for periods ended December 31, 2023)
Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Class A
11/21/1978
returns before taxes
3.68%
0.85%
2.44%
returns after taxes on distributions
3.68%
0.78%
2.41%
returns after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares
3.60%
1.41%
2.74%
Class C returns before taxes
08/01/1997
5.37%
0.85%
2.13%
Class Inst returns before taxes
09/16/2005
7.22%
1.69%
2.97%
Class Inst2 returns before taxes
12/11/2013
7.24%
1.71%
3.00%
Class Inst3 returns before taxes
03/01/2017
7.28%
1.75%
2.94%
Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or
taxes)
6.40%
2.25%
3.03%
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC 
Portfolio Management
Title
Role with Fund
Managed Fund Since
Catherine Stienstra*
Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of
Municipal Bond Investments
Co-Portfolio Manager
2018
Douglas J. White, CFA
Senior Portfolio Manager
Co-Portfolio Manager
2022
Shannon Rinehart, CFA
Senior Portfolio Manager
Co-Portfolio Manager
August 2024
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Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund
*Catherine Stienstra has announced her decision to retire as Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Municipal Bond Investments, effective mid-2025. At that time, Ms. Stienstra will cease to serve as a portfolio manager of the Fund.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund on any business day by contacting the Fund in the ways described below: 
Online
Regular Mail
Express Mail
By Telephone
columbiathreadneedleus.com/investor/
Columbia Management
Investment Services Corp.
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
Columbia Management
Investment Services Corp.
801 Pennsylvania Ave., STE. 219104
Kansas City, MO 64105-1307
800.422.3737
You may purchase shares and receive redemption proceeds by electronic funds transfer, by check or by wire. If you maintain your account with a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, you must contact that financial intermediary to buy, sell or exchange shares of the Fund through your account with the intermediary.
The minimum initial investment amounts for the share classes offered by the Fund are shown below:
Minimum Initial Investment 
Class
Category of eligible
account
For accounts other than
Systematic Investment
Plan accounts (as described in the Fund's Prospectus)
For Systematic Investment
Plan accounts
Classes A & C
All accounts other than
IRAs
$2,000
$100
IRAs
$1,000
$100
Class Inst
All eligible accounts
$0, $1,000 or $2,000
depending upon the category
of eligible investor
$100
Class Inst2
All eligible accounts
None
N/A
Class Inst3
All eligible accounts
$0, $1,000, $2,000
or $1 million depending
upon the category of
eligible investor
$100 (for certain
eligible investors)
More information about these minimums can be found in the Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares - Buying Shares section of the prospectus. There is no minimum additional investment for any share class.
Class S shares are available (i) to be held, but not purchased, by accounts of financial intermediaries that, with specific written permission from the Distributor, have instructed the Fund to exchange Class Inst shares for Class S shares; and (ii) to be held and purchased by omnibus group retirement plans that (A) opened and, subject to exceptions, funded a Class Inst share account as of the close of business on March 28, 2013 and have continuously held Class Inst shares in such account through at least September 30, 2024 and (B) received specific written permission from the Distributor to exchange Class Inst shares for Class S shares. Only omnibus retirement plans referenced in (ii) above may purchase Class S shares, open new Class S accounts, or add new plan participants to a Class S shares omnibus retirement plan account. Otherwise, Class S shares are not available for purchase (other than through the reinvestment of distributions on Class S shares).
Tax Information
Generally, a substantial portion of the Fund's distributions consists of exempt-interest dividends, which are generally not taxable to you for U.S. federal income tax purposes or for purposes of the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax. A portion of the Fund's distributions may not qualify as exempt-interest dividends; such distributions will generally be taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged account, such as a 401(k) plan or an IRA. If you are investing through a tax-advantaged account, you may be taxed upon withdrawals from that account.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies - including Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager), Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor) and Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (the Transfer Agent) - may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your financial advisor to
Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund
8
recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.
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Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund
Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.
The Fund is distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., 290 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210.
© 2024 Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC. All rights reserved. columbiathreadneedleus.comSUM233_07_P01_(12/24)