Governor’s executive order encourages healthy eating habits for Coloradans

Colorado’s governor wants to encourage access to healthy foods across the state. 

An executive order signed by Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday adds requirements for most state agencies to promote educational information on healthy foods, increase access to government aid programs or encourage Coloradans to exercise outdoors. 

The state will no longer use tax dollars to purchase alcoholic beverages or soft drinks for official state events under the order.

Colorado has the lowest obesity rate of any state, Polis said, and the order looks to align the state government’s actions with Coloradans’ healthy values. He signed the order at the Governor’s Mansion in Denver. 

“Living a healthy lifestyle is good for our bodies and also our budgets,” Polis said. “We want more Coloradans to make the right choice, to take charge of your health, to increase your lifespan, to be there for your loved ones, to decrease the need of hospitalization or loss.”

Here are some of the new requirements for state agencies under the executive order: 

• The Colorado Department of Agriculture will promote its Colorado Proud School Meal Month program, aiming to increase participation by 10% in the program, which prioritizes local foods. It will also look to lower prices for healthy foods in low-income areas of the state by providing technical assistance to small food retailers, farmers and distributors to use an expanded tax credit that promotes affordable healthy foods.
• The Colorado Department of Human Services will continue to advocate for federal approval of a hot food waiver to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients to purchase hot foods in grocery stores. It will analyze and make various enhancements to the state’s SNAP program and its incentives and waivers. 
• Multiple agencies will work together on various educational programs to connect Coloradans with community nutrition resources and teach people about how nutritious diets can support both mental and physical health. Other agencies will expand apprenticeship programs to build a workforce in health food occupations. 
• Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources will promote the healthy benefits of outdoor activities and protein sourced from fishing and hunting. The state’s Bike to Work Day program will be expanded to a full week, and the Department of Transportation will find opportunities to improve bike lanes and pedestrian access. State employees will have access to expanded wellness and personal exercise programs. 
• The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will work to increase referrals to the National Diabetes Prevention Program.  
• The state will evaluate how healthy lifestyle changes can lead to insurance premium savings. 
• State prisons will evaluate the daily nutritional intake of people in custody and offer diet and nutrition courses. The state will publicly report obesity rates within the prison system.