The Barton Institute for Community Action launched in 2016 as a free-standing institute at the University of Denver created by David Miller, former President and CEO of The Denver Foundation.

When Miller first envisioned an institute, he sought advice from his friends and colleagues, including Laura Barton. In November 2016, Laura Barton and her children made a gift of $10 million to name the institute in honor of Laura’s late husband, Peter Barton. This transformational gift provided seed capital and long-term funding to support the institute's mission.

While at the University of Denver, the Barton Institute created the Social Enterprise Fellowship program and helped launch the Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab.

After three years of incubation at DU, the Barton Institute spun off in January 2020 to become a separate 501(c)(3) organization: the Barton Institute for Community Action.

The Barton Institute for Community Action began immediately working in collaboration with Lifespan Local to cultivate well-being in Southwest Denver. The Institute also continued its support for Colorado Village Collaborative and its creation of tiny home communities for people experiencing homelessness. Following the adoption of its strategic plan in July 2020, the Institute took on fiscal sponsorship of the Village Institute and Commún, organizations that work with communities to create places of opportunity, connection, and belonging. 

In 2021, the Institute became the fiscal sponsor for the Colorado Safe Parking Initiative (CSPI), which worked with local churches, organizations, and businesses to provide safe overnight parking for people living in their vehicles. In December 2024, CSPI decentralized its operations. Many of its program partners continue to operate safe lots in partnership with community-based nonprofits and local governments.

In 2022, Lifespan Local spun off from the Barton Institute as a separate nonprofit organization, continuing the development of its Westwood Redeemer Project. 

In 2024, the Barton Institute became the fiscal sponsor for Food Justice NW Aurora and for a project of the East Denver Food Hub.