The Independence Institute (II) is a
libertarianthink tank based in
Denver, Colorado.[2] 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."[5]
History
The Independence Institute was founded in 1985 by
John Andrews, a former Republican state legislator from Colorado.[1][6] Since 1999, Independence Institute has been led by
Jon Caldara.[3]
A view of the entrance, including the sign and the statue of Jefferson.
Policy positions
The Independence Institute is a proponent of
educational choice and
charter schools, as well as the right to bear arms in accordance with the
Second Amendment. II supported school board members in
Douglas County, Colorado who became the majority there in 2009 and subsequently curtailed the power of the teacher's union, expanded school choice, and attempted to initiate a voucher system.[7][8] However, a new school board majority elected in 2017 has promised to reverse many of these policies.[9]
In 2013, II opposed Amendment 66, an unsuccessful ballot measure which would have increased the state's income tax by $950 million (which would have begun the hollowing out of Colorado's Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR)).[12] The organization supported the
Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), which was passed by Colorado voters in 1992.[13]