DENVER — The Denver City Council on Tuesday moved to prohibit restaurants within city limits from including sugary drinks on children's menus, arguing it would help counter America's obesity epidemic.
The measure defines "default" beverage in a "children's meal" to mean two things — water, which may be "still or sparkling, with no added sugar" or "dairy milk or non-dairy milk substitute with no added sugar."
In pushing for the measure, District 10 Councilman Chris Hinds pointed to other cities in the Denver area — as well as in the country — that have adopted similar measures.
“We have an obesity epidemic. We have a diabetes epidemic, so let’s set our kids up for success,” he said. “Let’s make sure they can focus on learning, instead of being worried about health complications so early in their lives.”
He pushed back against arguments that the move infringes on people's personal rights, describing it as a "nudge" resolution, referring to the plastic bag ban that he said also “nudges” people to bring their own bags or else pay a small fee. At-Large Councilwoman Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez cosponsored the bill.
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