Louisville City Council votes to ‘prioritize’ healthy kid’s drinks on menus

DENVER ( KDVR ) — Louisville City Council approved an ordinance that will “prioritize” healthier drinks on kids’ menus in the city.

On Tuesday, the city council approved Ordinance No. 1883 , “Healthy Drinks in Kids’ Meals Ordinance.” The city council said the ordinance was spearheaded by the Louisville Healthy Kids Coalition.

According to the ordinance, restaurants will be required to list healthy beverages, like water, dairy milk or non-dairy milk substitutes, to be the default beverage advertised on kids’ menus. The ordinance also says that restaurants would not be prohibited from selling sugary drinks if they are requested.

Louisville is joining cities like Lafayette, Longmont, Golden and Denver , which have all enacted similar policies.

“As a healthcare professional, I have seen the effects of excessive sugar consumption on children, including borderline diabetes and fatty liver disease,” said Seth Kramer, a local physician and coalition member. “By removing sugary drinks from menus, we prioritize the health and well-being of our community’s youth and promote a culture of wellness and mindful choices.”

According to the Healthy Beverage Partnership , a collaboration of Colorado health departments and community partners, consuming one sugary drink a day can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by 25% and dying from heart disease by 33%.

The Boulder County government said local restaurants have voiced their support for the ordinance.

“We support removing sugary drinks from kids’ menus because nurturing young bodies with wholesome nutrition seeds a lifetime of healthy habits,” said Kelli Gianopoulos, co-owner of John’s Table Kitchen and Bar.

The ordinance will go into effect on April 1, 2025.

In February, more than six months efore the ordinance was approved, 16 Louisville restaurants were commended for pledging their support and removing sugary drinks from kids’ menus.

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