Chairman Catherine Shopneck Location Denver, Colorado, U.S. | President Jon Caldara | |
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Established 1985; 32 years ago (1985) Budget Revenue: $2,716,740
Expenses: $2,621,981
(FYE June 2015) Address 727 E. 16th Ave.
Denver, Colorado 80203 | ||
The Independence Institute (II) is a libertarian think tank based in Denver, Colorado. The group's stated mission "is to empower individuals and to educate citizens, legislators and opinion makers about public policies that enhance personal and economic freedom."
Contents
History
The Independence Institute was founded in 1985 by John Andrews, a former Republican state legislator from Colorado. The organization's current president is Jon Caldara.
Policy positions
The Independence Institute is a proponent of educational choice and charter schools. II supported school board candidates in Douglas County, Colorado who won the majority there in 2013 and subsequently ceased recognizing the district’s union, abolished established teacher tenure, and expanded charter schools.
Prior to winning election to the United States House of Representatives as a Democrat, Jared Polis wrote a white paper for the institute about privatizing the U.S. Postal Service.
II supports gun rights, including the right of concealed carry.
In 2013, II opposed Amendment 66, an unsuccessful ballot measure which would have increased the state's income tax by $950 million. The organization supported the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), which was passed by Colorado voters in 1992.
II opposed the Affordable Care Act.