Is Plastic Straw Regulation Coming To Colorado?

Colorado lawmakers are considering regulating plastic straws.

A bill being considered in the Colorado State House would prohibit restaurants from providing you a straw. The law would be similar to a California law passed last fall that bans restaurants from automatically giving you a plastic straw with your beverage. If you want one, you'll have to ask for it.

The debate over plastic straws reached a fever pitch a few years back when a video of a sea turtle with a straw stuck in its nose went viral.

The 'straw ban' is nothing new to Colorado. Several communities have already banned plastic straws. In most cases, you have to request a straw if you want one. If successful, you're likely handed the paper variety.

Some cities have banned plastic straws altogether. Last summer, Seattle banned plastic straws and utensils. The city's restaurants are now required to use reusable or compostable utensils and straws or hand out none at all. The proposed Colorado law isn't that extreme. We'll see what happens. The bill heads to the House Energy & Environment Committee committee later this month.

The bigger question is...Will this new law really help clean up the environment or is this just more government interference in Coloradan's everyday lives?

Credit: 9News