BOULDER LETS CU OUT OF SODA TAX — FOR NOW

The University of Colorado has been granted a one-year exemption to Boulder’s new soda tax.

University officials asked the City Council for the exemption, saying they needed time to adapt to the tax that they only recently realized would affect them.

The tax levies 2 cents per ounce on distributors of drinks with at least five grams of added sugar per 12 ounces.

University officials were under the impression that because they were a state entity, the city tax wouldn’t apply to them. But the tax is charged to vendors and the vendors raises prices and passes the cost on to the university.

After the year of exemption, officials estimate the university could pay about $1 million more per year to serve sugary drinks.

They also said sugary drinks might be eliminated on campus because of the tax.

During the next school year, students will be surveyed about dining hall options so university officials know what drinks are most popular. Daily Camera