Boulder Judge & Community Help Move Sugary Drink Tax Forward

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The fight against the beverage industry for Boulder, Colo.’s sugary tax measure to be put on the ballot has been contested back and forth.

Two protests from a city attorney circulated but local Judge, Norma Sierra, ruled that the petition was valid and Boulder City Clerk Lynette Beck also denied the protester’s appeal.

Now, the measure for the sugary beverage tax is officially on the measure on November’s ballot.

Healthy Boulder Kids campaign manager, Angelique Espinoza is a supporter of the tax and explained to local news that the closer they get to the tax the more they can ensure a way to increase healthy foods and activities for kids in Boulder.

Boulder, Colo. is a community with a growing Latino population (13.9%). Latino kids are often targeted by beverage companies and junk foods on television and in social media. Studies also reveal that Latino kids are often more likely to consume more sugary beverages than their white peers.

The Latino Chamber of Commerce in Boulder, are also supporting the sugary drink tax, explained executive director Jose D. Beteta in a local opinion article, stating that the whole Latino community depends on the diversity and health of its workforce and that he hopes he can raise his son in a healthy environment.

Research shows that creating a healthier environment that encourages more consumption of water and less of sugary beverages like soda, juice, and sweet teas could help reduce Latino kids consumption of sugary beverages and reduce their risks of chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity.

Beteta encouraged the community to support the sugary tax measure, explaining that to readers that Latino health is falling behind and that everyone must stand up to fund health equity programs and stand against the beverage industry’s aggressive target marketing.

To learn more about Latino kids and the ways sugary beverages can be reduced to support healthier environments, click here.