Independence Institute

Independence Institute is a Colorado-based free-market public policy organization that describes itself as more than a think tank and instead an "action tank."

Founded in 1985, Independence Institute educates and informs citizens, legislators, opinion-makers and the media about freedom:

• Individual freedom
• Economic freedom
• Journalistic freedom

The organization advances these ideas through:

• Policy research and analysis
• Groundbreaking legislation and ballot initiatives
• Coalition-building and grassroots mobilization
• Investigative reporting
• Multi-faceted media outreach

Independence Institute does not accept government money.

Vision

Independence Institute envisions a Colorado where people enjoy:

• Debt-free government
• Flat and transparent tax policy
• Respect for property rights
• Choice in education
• Health care freedom
• Limited federal intrusion
• An end to corporate welfare
• Secure private property rights
• Free market conservation
• Local energy development
• Application of the least-cost principle in energy policy

Approach to public policy

Independence Institute was founded to promote and protect the principles expressed in the Declaration of Independence: that all persons are created equal and entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The organization:

• Seeks private-sector and community solutions to problems rather than government regimentation and control
• Offers expertise and provides leadership on a range of Colorado and national policy issues (see the separate document on policy centers and issue areas)

Independence Institute is widely recognized as a promoter of freedom in Colorado and across the United States.

• Education policy and school choice
• Fiscal policy and taxes
• Healthcare policy
• Energy policy
• Environmental and conservation policy (with an emphasis on free-market approaches)
• Transportation and public infrastructure
• Government transparency and local government issues
• Constitutional law, including the U.S. and Colorado Constitutions
• The right to keep and bear arms (Second Amendment)
• Emerging technologies and their policy implications

What the policy centers do

Across these areas, Independence Institute activities include:

• Policy research and issue analysis
• Developing and supporting legislation and ballot initiatives
• Providing expert testimony and legal analysis
• Coalition-building with like-minded organizations and community partners
• Public education through events, classes and media

How Independence Institute engages the public

Independence Institute offers:

• Written reports, articles and commentaries on current policy debates
• Educational resources for citizens and decision-makers
• Opportunities to attend events, classes and briefings related to its policy areas

For the latest work in any of these issue areas, visitors are directed to the articles, reports and media updated regularly on i2i.org and related Independence Institute outlets.

727 East 16th Avenue

Denver, Colorado 80203

General contact information

• Main phone: 303-279-6536
• Fax: 303-279-4146
• RSVP line: 303-279-6536 x111
• General email: info@i2i.org

Additional contact emails:

• Donations: devo@i2i.org
• Media inquiries: mi@i2i.org
• Website and technical issues: webmaster@i2i.org

Office hours

• Regular office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Special hours apply for events, classes and other scheduled activities

If you plan to visit for a specific event or meeting, confirm details in advance using the contact information above.

Email list and updates

Members of the public can subscribe to Independence Institute email updates to stay informed about:

• New articles and commentary
• Policy updates and issue briefs
• Events, classes and other opportunities to get involved

Requesting a speaker

Independence Institute policy experts are available to speak at events or appear as guests on radio, television or podcasts.

To request a speaker:

• Use the speaker request form on the Independence Institute website, or
• Contact the organization using the general phone or email listed above and provide details about your event and topic

If you have a question that is not answered in other knowledge documents, contact Independence Institute directly using the information in this document.

Complete Colorado

Complete Colorado is Independence Institute's news site, featuring:

• Aggregated news from around Colorado
• Original reporting and investigative journalism
• Commentary on state and local issues

The site covers topics such as taxation, education, energy, civil liberties and other issues important to Colorado residents.

Videos

Independence Institute produces video content that presents public policy issues from a free-market, pro-liberty perspective.

• New videos are published regularly and highlighted on the Independence Institute website
• Viewers can watch full video archives on the organization's YouTube channel

Podcasts

Independence Institute offers podcasts that provide in-depth discussion of policy topics and current events relevant to Colorado and beyond.

Listeners can access the most recent episodes and archives through links provided on the Independence Institute website.

Magazine

Independence Institute publishes a magazine that shares longer-form articles, analysis and updates from across the organization.

Articles and commentaries

Independence Institute policy experts write essays, commentaries and analysis pieces on issues affecting Colorado. These are published on i2i.org and often cross-posted or referenced on partner outlets.

For the latest content in any of these formats, visitors should check the "Read Our Latest," "Watch Our Latest" and "Hear Our Latest" sections on the Independence Institute homepage.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.