The Denver City Council on Monday is expected to discuss a measure that would ban restaurants from serving sugar-based drinks found on kid’s menus.

If approved, Denver restaurants could only offer water or milk as the “default” drink options to children. If approved, the law would go into effect in July 2025.

The proposal 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.”

Similar measures have passed in the nearby cities of Longmont, Lafayette and Golden.

Under Denver’s proposal, retail food establishment employees “cannot offer any beverage other than the default beverage.”

The proposal allows a restaurant to sell any other beverage, including soda, if a customer requests it.

The council expects to begin its deliberations on Monday, and will likely vote on the measure at its next meeting.

District 10 Councilmember Chris Hinds, who is a sponsor of the measure, said the vote doesn’t seem controversial.

In other action Monday, the council will consider:

• Adding $20 million to a contract with Quebec Hospitality (Colorado Hospitality Services) for a total of $45 million for continued use of hotels housing immigrants. 
• A $900,000 loan for Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver to assist with developing and constructing eight low-income affordable homes at 5101 Leetsdale Dr.
• Using $3 million from the Civic Center Greek Theater Renovation Capital Project toward the Lincoln/La Alma Master Plan and Implementation Plan for more pickleball courts near Sloan’s Lake.
• Adding $2.3 million to a contract with La Raza Services for a new total of $4.6 million extending services for 10 months to continue providing cultural engagement services to Support Team Assisted Response program participants. 
• Acquiring the former Denver Post building at 101 W. Colfax at a cost not to exceed $90 million.
• Acquiring the homeless hotel shelter at 7525 E. Hampden Ave. at a cost not to exceed $25 million.