Challenging times lie ahead in Colorado’s progressive policy environment, but this is our moment to prepare. When the consequences of these policies become clear, we must be ready with actionable, freedom-based solutions. Watch our videos to discover how we’ve made an impact and our plans for the future. Your support this Colorado Gives Day will help the Independence Institute continue fighting for liberty and prosperity across the state.
Are you someone who works in the energy industry looking to stay on top of policy changes that could affect your bottom line? Are you a technology geek interested in new energy innovations that could one day reliably power the future? Or are you just someone wondering why your energy bills keep going up while reliability seems to be going down?
No matter who you are, Independence Institute has you covered with PowerGab, our podcast and YouTube show dedicated to energy and environmental policy with a focus on Colorado.
PowerGab illuminates all of these topics and more with a pro-consumer, pro-freedom perspective that you won’t find almost anywhere else. We couldn’t do what we do without our generous supporters.
Ari Armstrong continues his coverage of the Klan in Colorado. Cory Gaines shares how to identify left-wing news sources. Mike Rosen explores how voters paved the way for a national GOP majority.
Podcasts *Available on all major platforms* Did you know 46% of the voters in Colorado are unaffiliated? Have you ever wondered why? Hear from the experts at Independence Institute talk about the issues important to Colorado and how to bring some sanity to this increasingly leftist state.
Devil's Advocate with Jon Caldara is a current events show not to be missed. Each week it features lively - and sometimes heated - debates between elected officials, journalists, activists, concerned citizens, subject-matter experts, and hard-pressing host Jon Caldara, president of the Independence Institute. Jon is not afraid to express his "free-market" views, and his guests are not afraid to take on those opinions. It all makes for an informative, lively public affairs program.
PowerGab focuses on unique energy issues facing Colorado. Hosted by Amy Cooke, Independence Institute's Energy and Environmental Policy Center Director, and Jake Fogleman, Director of Policy. PowerGab tackles the complexities of energy policy and solutions for a broad audience to educate and illuminate all while having a few laughs along the way.
This podcast includes several series of commentaries about the Constitution. Each series will cover a different aspect of the document. This series thumbnails the lives of 14 American Founders and their specific contributions to the Constitution. It covers both well-known Founders, such as James Madison, and those who are lesser known, but who exercised an out-sized influence.
Last week, I had the opportunity to speak at the Jefferson County Republican Men’s Club. One of the members had seen my interview with Jon Caldara on PBS Channel 12 and requested that I address this topic during the meeting. On The Devil’s Advocate broadcast, Jon and I discussed the age-inappropriate LGBTQ social studies teaching resources listed on the Colorado Department of Education website. It was wonderful seeing former Independence Institute president Tom Tancredo at the meeting. When Tom was president of Independence Institute, he launched the first school report cards in the nation. He hired me a couple of years after the launch. We put the report cards online. Later, the state followed our lead and established a statewide school report card system. We claimed victory and moved on to other projects.
As a growing number of districts and charter schools offered unique educational programming, I recognized the need for a new type of website focusing on educational philosophies and information about how to open enroll children into a school outside their neighborhood boundaries— a one-stop school shopping website. SchoolChoiceforKids.org went online in 2008 in English and Spanish and includes both public and private Colorado schools. December is often the month parents begin to make decisions about where to send their children to school in the fall of 2025. They must be prepared for when their chosen school district opens its open enrollment window. Parents can find open enrollment information here. December is also the time we give generously to our favorite charities on Colorado Gives Day, which takes place on December 10. Please consider showing your support to help keep valuable programs like SchoolChoiceForKids.org funded. -Pam Benigno, Director, Education Policy Center
A new year is upon us. It's a good time to look back at 2024 and ahead to 2025. The one and only Patty Calhoun, editor of Westword, takes a political tour of the year gone by and makes some predictions for the one coming up.
President-Elect Trump taps a Coloradan to lead the Department of Energy. Who is Chris Wright, and what does his nomination mean for Colorado's energy policy? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.
Your donation on Colorado Gives Day allows us to engage in important public policy advocacy. As was widely reported, the Colorado Legislature voted late in the Session this year to exempt itself from the Colorado Open Meetings Law. The move was controversial, but Governor Jared Polis signed the Bill anyway. The result enabled the Legislature to hold secret meetings on specific important bills, including property tax reform, prompting even the Denver Post to cry foul. Rather than sit back and complain in the media, we have assembled a team of disparate organizations on the right and the left to work on the reinstitution of transparency through legislation or through the ballot box via initiative. This is essential work that needs to continue. If you are interested in hearing more about our efforts, don't hesitate to contact me. -Shayne Madsen, General Council, Director of Political Law Center
