| Independence Institute | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1985 |
| President | Jon Caldara |
| Staff | II Staff Page |
| Location | Golden, Colorado |
| Address | 13952 Denver West Pkwy., Suite 400, Golden, CO 80401 |
| Website | www.i2i.org |
The Independence Institute (II) is a conservative think tank based in Golden, Colorado. Founded in 1985, the Institute "(concentrates) expertise (in) education, the environment, transportation, personal freedom, government reform, local government, and criminal justice."[1]
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As of June 2010, the Independence Institute's Research Director is American author, attorney and political science researcher Dave Kopel.[2] II's current president is Jon Caldara.[3]
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The Institute holds an annual Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) party, to promote drinking, smoking, and shooting as a "fundamental right". Independent Institute President Jon Caldara is quoted as saying: “Now remember, a year from now President [Barack] Obama might make all three activities of smoking, drinking and shooting completely illegal. This might be our very, very last opportunity.” In 2008, the event drew a crowd of around 200 supporters.[4]
The Institute has been accused of promoting misinformation on global warming by Media Matters for America. The Institute provided several media platforms to James Taylor of the Heartland Institute. Taylor's claims about global warming were disputed by Media Matters, including that there is No scientific consensus on man-made global warming. The article also notes donations of $561,500 from 1998 to 2005 to Taylor's Heartland Institute.[5]
In 2008, the Rocky Mountain News published an article describing the Independent Institute's opposition to Colorado's proposed Amendment 59, a measure to "creat[e] a savings account for schools". II president Jon Caldara, and former Colorado republican Penn Pfiffner were mentioned as opposing the bill in the article. However, Penn Pfiffner is also the director of the Independence Institute's Fiscal Policy Center, a fact not mentioned in the original article.[6]
In 2007, the Independence Institute was accused of dominating the Colorado Media by bigmedia.org. The Independence Institute is described as "a behemoth with an aggressive media strategy and ideological bent." Media Matters is also concerned with uncritical quotation of II President Caldara by reporters.[7]
In 2005, the Independence Institute ran afoul of a law requiring registration of issues-based groups, and disclosure of donors. The Institute's challenge to the laws were successful. Because of the restrictions to freedom of association implied by the laws, the Institute has now applied to the Supreme Court for a judgement against such laws.[8]