Jon Caldara

Host of INDEPENDENT THINKING, Jon Caldara is the President of the Independence Institute, Colorado's free-market think tank in Golden, Colorado.

Caldara started his political career in 1994 when he was elected to the Regional Transportation District Board of Directors. Caldara almost immediately became the most controversial and outspoken board member in RTD's history, as he fought against wasteful projects and for free market reforms such as competitive contracting of services and privatization. In 1998, Caldara became Chairman of the Board of RTD.

Among his many awards, 5280 Magazine named Caldara as one of the top 10 most influential men in Denver, Westword awarded Caldara “Denver's Best Media Manipulator,” the Denver Post put Caldara on their list of “people to watch,” and the Colorado Jaycees awarded him as the Outstanding Young Coloradoan.