Public health advocates hope to put a ballot measure before Boulder voters in November that would place an excise tax on soda and other sugary drinks, to be paid by distributors of those products in order to increase funding directed at promoting exercise and healthy eating.

The filing by a coalition identifying itself as Healthy Boulder Kids starts a formal review process by the city clerk’s office that can take up to 15 days. Providing that ballot language is certified, the coalition will then have until June 28 to collect and submit the signatures needed to get on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Supporters of the proposed tax contend that consumption of one sugary drink per day boosts the risk of childhood obesity by 55 percent, the chance of Type 2 diabetes by 25 percent and the possibility of death from cardiovascular disease by 30 percent.

Eric Harker, a primary care and preventive medicine physician in Boulder, said the city enjoys a reputation for a healthy populace.

However, he said, “I would argue that doesn’t apply to everybody in the city of Boulder. The idea is to try implement public health measures that help improve the health of all individuals and families in Boulder.”

Healthy initiatives that could be funded through the tax could include, Harker said, doubling the value of SNAP benefits for people shopping at the Boulder Farmers’ Market, and sponsoring additional physical activities and promoting sports participation for children who might otherwise not be able to afford it.

Another coalition member, Jorge De Santiago, executive director of El Centro AMISTAD in Boulder, said that in working with Latino families, he is acutely aware that not all children in the city are adequately exposed to healthy lifestyles.

“As a parent, I see the negative impacts that a lot of the sugary drinks have on my children and other children, and I feel very responsible to help bring the real facts, as to how this really affects children,” he said. “As parents, we have the responsibility to provide that support and really bring about that better future for all children.”

The proposed mechanism to enhance health and fitness funding is an excise tax of 2 cents per ounce on drinks that contain at least 5 grams of sugar, high-fructose corn syrup or other added sweeteners per 12 fluid ounces.

It would be paid by distributors of such drinks, and not by Boulder residents.

Drinks not affected by the measure, should it pass, include milk products, 100 percent fruit and vegetable juices, alcohol, baby formula and cough syrup.

The coalition expects it will have a battle on its hands to win passage of the measure, should it make it to November ballot, but believes the opposition will be narrowly defined.

“Big companies that produce sugary drinks,” Harker said. “That’s it.”

John Lamson, a spokesman for the Healthy Boulder Kids coalition, said he believes about the signatures of 6,000 to 7,000 registered voters will be needed to put the ballot question before voters this fall.

Officials in the city clerk’s office could not be reached Thursday afternoon.

Charlie Brennan: 303-473-1327, brennanc@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/chasbrennan