Our Girl Scouts and volunteers made the 2021 Girl Scout Cookie Program an AMAZING success, rising to every challenge with energy, creativity, and true Girl Scout spirit! It’s time to celebrate your perseverance and hard work. One way to do that is to plan to make the most of the Cookie Credits girls earned by participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program or Fall Product Program. There are so many exciting ways to use Cookie Credits, including: Girls can use the Cookie Credit reimbursement form to get reimbursed for their Girl Scout membership fee. Complete the form on the GSCO website. (See link below.) Girl Scouts of Colorado shop – in-person or via phone order – Cookie Credits cannot be processed for online store purchases. Online store purchases need to be submitted via the Cookie Credit reimbursement form. GSCO troop or service unit trip, event, or activity with a per girl fee GSCO sponsored or hosted event or activity EF Tours Girl Scout destinations Highest Awards materials and fees Volunteer-run day camps or events with a per girl cost GSCO summer camp* (Cookie Credits can be held at GSCO and applied to camp registration – OR – Cookie Credits are mailed directly to girls.) *Important Note: In accordance with IRS guidelines, you cannot use Cookie Credits to attend Girl Scout camps in other states/councils. Cookie Credits will be mailed to directly to girls in May, unless the girl requested that they be held at council to pay for camp. Troops and girls can be reimbursed for these activities using the Cookie Credit Reimbursement Form. For GSCO camp, redeem the credits use the Credit Redemption Form for Camp. Cookie Credits may NOT be used to pay fees to outside vendors for individual girls, purchase items not in the Girl Scouts of Colorado shop or online store, or pay for travel expenses for adults or those not related to Girl Scouts of Colorado. Cookie Credits may only be used by GSCO girl members and an active membership is required.  For questions about what Cookie Credits can be used for, please contact: financial.followup@gscolorado.org Cookie Credits do not have a cash value. Cookie Credits expire 10 years from date of issue. Cookie Credits will not be re-issued if lost. Cookie Pro Tip: Take a photo of the Cookie Credits card and save the photo as a backup file in case the card gets lost. Cookie Credit FAQs I was previously told that I could not use Cookie Credits to renew membership, so why is GSCO making this change now? In 2016 Girl Scouts of Colorado stopped allowing Cookie Credits to renew girl membership, however new guidance has come out from Girl Scouts of the USA and now Cookie Credits may be used to pay for girl membership; they may not be used to pay for adult membership. Can troops use Cookie Credits to reimburse adults? No. For money earning/troop budgeting questions, refer to Volunteer Essentials. You can also email financial.followup@gscolorado.org Can Juliettes use Cookie Credits to reimburse adults? No. Can I use Cookie Credits to attend a Girl Scouts of Colorado-sponsored or hosted event/activity? Yes, as long as there is a per girl cost. Can I use Cookie Credits to host an event for Girl Scouts? No. For money earning/troop budgeting questions, refer to Volunteer Essentials. You can also email financial.followup@gscolorado.org How can I find out how much I have in Cookie Credits?You can verify the amount remaining on your cookie card by going to the web address or calling the number on the back of the card. Can troops pool their Cookie Credits together to pursue a troop activity? Yes, with the full consent of the girls in the troop, a troop may pool their credits for reimbursement for a Girl Scout-related cost that complies with the guidelines above. #cookiecredits #cookiesvolunteers #2021GirlScoutCookieProgram #cookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram

Submitted by Erin Ryan Pikes Peak Colorado Springs We had one last cupboard pick-up to fill some last minute orders for one of our girls who’s goal was to sell 1,250 packages! Aby, a Junior, has rocked her cookie season going above and beyond at booths, and selling to friends and family. Our winning ticket was in a box of Trefoils. We are a small troop of only 10 girls (multi-level), but a mighty one! Every one of our girls gave it their all and persevered this cookie season- even our first year Daisies! They did booths in -10° weather and found ways to sell despite pandemic restrictions. Our goal as a troop was 3,000 packages and we exceeded that goal, selling 4,618 packages! Winning this ticket was the icing on the cake to end our cookie season! Troop Goal: 3,000 packages Hometown Hero: El Paso County Sheriff’s Dept. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #ColoradoSprings #BronzeTicketWinner #2021BronzeTicketWinner #2021GirlScoutCookieProgram #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #PikesPeak

Submitted by Jessica Hanna Mountain Communities Granby We almost didn’t sell this year, but our girls decided that they wanted to keep earning money to continue our community projects, as well as save for camp. We set our goal low, but far exceeded our expectations with the help of another Girl Scout from a local troop that took the year off! Troop Goal: 6,000 packages Hometown Hero: Hot Sulpher Springs We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #SilverTicketWinner #2021GirlScoutCookieProgram #cookies #2021SilverTicketWinner #GirlScoutCookies #Granby #GirlScoutCookieProgram #mountaincommunities

Submitted by Lara Abrahamson Northern & Northeastern CO Fort Collins The winning ticket was in the last case that I picked up from the cupboard to help fill our Hometown Hero donations. I opened every one and did have a moment of feeling like Charlie Bucket when I saw it. We had a troop meeting and were discussing money earning to get a storage space for all of our equipment, so this is a nice little boost for the troop in that direction! Troop Goal: It was 14,000 packages, but the girls are over 22,000! Hometown Hero: North Shore Health and Rehab and MCR COVID vaccination services We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #SilverTicketWinner #NorthernampNortheasternCO #2021GirlScoutCookieProgram #cookies #2021SilverTicketWinner #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #FortCollins

Submitted by Dawn Ortiz Pueblo and Southeastern CO LaJunta Our troop is made up of 14 girls ranging from Daisies to Cadettes. On our last trip to the cupboard for the year, when transferring a case to a girl, we noticed a piece of paper on the top. When we opened it, we found a silver ticket! Troop Goal: 8,000 packages Hometown Hero: Arkansas Valley Reginal Medical Center We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #LaJunta #PuebloandSoutheasternCO #SilverTicketWinner #2021GirlScoutCookieProgram #cookies #2021SilverTicketWinner #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram

Submitted by Heather Sloop Mountain Communities Steamboat Springs Troop 56342 delivered 156 packages of Girl Scout Cookies to Johnny B. Goods diner. The girls chose to give their Hometown Hero donations to Johnny’s because they have been such great community members throughout the pandemic. They give free soup to anyone who is in need, as well as deliver to assisted living facilities in our county. Johnny’s was recognized by Colorado Governor Jared Polis last May for their efforts during COVID. Troop 56342 thought their HTH cookies would be a great dessert with any free meals the diner continues to give to our community. When we delivered the cookies, Kathy Diemer, owner of Johnny B. Goods, talked to our troop about business ownership and what it’s like being a female owner. Our girls earned their Business Owner badge during this visit. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #2021GirlScoutCookieProgram #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #SteamboatSprings #HometownHeroes #mountaincommunities

Submitted by Anna H., Girl Scout Gold Award candidate Metro Denver Westminster Hello everyone! My name is Anna, and I am an Ambassador currently working on my Gold Award. I have some free, educational webinars that Girl Scouts and their families can attend! My project is on making the world more bird-friendly. With the forces of habitat loss and human-related dangers such as domestic cats, bird populations are declining at alarming rates. My goal is to educate high schoolers and adults on how they can: Reduce bird-window collisions. Let cats and birds coexist peacefully while fulfilling their respective needs. Make their backyard more bird-friendly, including birdhouses, baths, and feeders. Understand why planting native is so important. I am conducting three separate presentations for this project. They will be hosted by the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies and I, along with two other Girl Scouts, will be guest-speaking. These presentations will interest anyone who has a passion for nature and/or the environment, and they’re free. Girl Scouts should attend to learn about the issues facing birds and how they can help. In order to save our feathery friends, everyone needs to do what they can to help birds. That includes you! Age Range: Seniors, Ambassadors, and Adults (non-Girl Scouts are also welcome!) When: March 31, April 7, and April 14, 2021 from 4 – 5 p.m. Note: you don’t have to attend every presentation, and there is separate registration for each presentation. Where: Zoom- These are webinars! The Top Two Threats to Birds: Windows and Cats March 31 from 4 – 5 p.m. Approximately three billion birds die each year from human-related threats. However, which threats are the largest? And, how can everyday people, not just organizations and businesses, help? Join the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies for an in-depth look at windows and cats, the statistics, why they’re problems, and convenient solutions to help them coexist. Registration link: https://bird-conservancy-of-the-rockies.networkforgood.com/events/28172-the-two-top-threats-to-birds-windows-and-cats The B’s: Birdhouses, Birdbaths, and Bird-Friendly Backyards April 7 from 4 – 5 p.m. There are many misconceptions when it comes to birdhouses—perch versus no perch, painted versus untreated wood, on a pole versus in a tree, etc. The same goes for birdbaths. Come join the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies to learn what to do and what not to do when it comes to birdhouses and birdbaths! This presentation will also briefly touch on bird feeders and foods. Registration Link: https://bird-conservancy-of-the-rockies.networkforgood.com/events/28173-the-b-s-birdhouses-birdbaths-bird-friendly-backyards Why Should We Plant Native? April 14 from 4 – 5 p.m. You might have heard that you should plant native. But do you know why? “Because it’s good for the environment,” while correct, doesn’t do justice describing the complex role native plants play. It’s much more than that! Come learn about ecosystems, the advantages of native plants, and how invasive species disrupt the delicate balance of nature. Registration Link: https://bird-conservancy-of-the-rockies.networkforgood.com/events/28174-why-should-we-plant-native Questions? Email highestawards@gscolorado.org. Photos courtesy of Gary and Carlie Hartwick. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #BirdConservancyoftheRockies #GSCOevents #Westminster #GirlScoutGoldAwardProject #birds #GirlScoutGoldAward #MetroDenver #GirlScoutGoldAwardcandidate

Submitted Penny P. Metro Denver Greenwood Village I sold almost 500 packages of Girl Scout Cookies where I live in my apartment community, to friends at school, and online. I also sold with my troop at a Petco and at a drive-thru cookie booth at a dad’s work. I had fun making my video for my Penny’s Cookie World online website to sell Girl Scout Cookies with Digital Cookie. I really enjoy doing all the crafts with my fellow Girl Scouts and we went on an adventure at Meadow Mountain Ranch that was a lot of fun too! We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #2021GirlScoutCookieProgram #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #greenwoodvillage #GirlScoutCookieProgram #MetroDenver

Submitted by Gabrielle Faqua Northern & Northeastern CO Boulder We thought we were done with cookies, but heard there were still a lot in the pantry, so we decided to put one last call out! After filling what we could from other troops, we picked up the last few cases at the pantry and were so surprised to find a silver ticket! Troop Goal: Silver Awards and travel Hometown Hero: Community Food Share We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #SilverTicketWinner #NorthernampNortheasternCO #2021GirlScoutCookieProgram #cookies #boulder #2021SilverTicketWinner #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram

Submitted by David Eason Metro Denver Parker If you have ever considered learning about horses and how to ride them, you will definitely want to participate in the Reining Heroes program especially designed for Girl Scouts. Girl Scout Juniors can even earn their Horsemanship Badge in a warm, welcoming—and fun!—environment. When you arrive at the stables and walk by the horses on your way to the tack shed, these gentle giants meet and welcome you as you pass by. The Reining Heroes horses love Girl Scouts and eagerly anticipate working with you. On the tour of the grounds, you will meet other horses, which might include a couple of adorable, friendly minis. You will see and learn about different kinds of horses, their different colors, and the historical uses of some of them, such as for knights in shining armor of medieval times. Your unmounted lesson will be hands-on: catching, haltering, leading, and grooming the horses—no standing around watching! When you are riding, the horse is yours, and you are the boss. When you are not riding, you will be helping another rider and her horse. Lessons this year are every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 – 11 a.m. in May, June, July, and August. For more information about the program, refer to the Event List or Events Calendar on the Girl Scouts of Colorado website at https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/. Weekends are not available for lessons this year. If that changes, the GSCO Events Calendar will be updated. Reining Heroes has been conducting this program for Girl Scouts for more than three years, and more than 400 Girl Scouts have earned their Horsemanship Badges here. To register, either email reiningheroes@yahoo.com or call or text the instructor, Paula Quillen, at (303) 877-0371. If you have any questions or want to tour the facility before deciding to participate in the program, you can email, call, or text Paula. You can see more about Reining Heroes including photos of the facility, horses, and prior Girl Scout participants at https://www.facebook.com/ReiningHeroes/photos/?ref=page_internal. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #Horsemanshipbadge #Parker #GSCOevents #Communitypartnerships #GirlScoutJunior #GirlScoutJuniors #Junior #communitypartners #ColoradoReiningHeroes #horses #Juniors #MetroDenver

Join your Girl Scout sisters on Saturday, May 8, 2021 as we celebrate accomplishments, reflect on the fun times, and bridge to their next level of Girl Scouts. We will symbolize this moment by crossing together as a sisterhood over Colorado’s Royal Gorge Bridge! Girl Scouts and their families will have access to a reduced ticket price of $19 for the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. This will include participating in our Girl Scout Bridging Ceremony, access to the Royal Gorge Bridge, and all the other attractions, such as beautiful trails to explore the gorge. By registering today, you are securing your spot to purchase tickets on May 8, 2021. Tickets will need to be purchased in-person at the park. You also have the option to purchase a patch for $3 that will be mailed to the provided address after the event. Register: https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/annual_statewide_bridging_ceremony_at_royal_gorge_bridge_pp_05_08_2021 Event Schedule: 10 a.m. – Park Opens to the Public 11 – 11:15 a.m. Bridging Ceremony – Please ensure you arrive with enough time to participate in the ceremony. 11:15 – 11:30 a.m.- Cross the bridge, take pictures, etc. 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.-  Enjoy the beautiful Royal Gorge Park! Participants are expected to comply with Fremont County and Royal Gorge Bridge and Park safety and health guidelines. Questions? Email inquiry@gscolorado.org. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #RoyalGorgeBridgeandPark #GSCOevents #statewidebridging #RoyalGorgeBridge #PikesPeak #CanonCity

Submitted by Cimber James Southwestern CO Cortez We have a large multi-level troop with 16 of our 20+ girls selling cookies this year. I have made many trips to the cupboard this cookie season, this was just the “lucky” one. Troop Goal: 8,000 packages Hometown Hero: First Responders Girl Scout troops statewide have found golden, silver, and bronze tickets in cases of cookies that they picked up at area cupboards since the beginning of March! More tickets are out there. Check your cases of cookies when you pick up your Hometown Hero cookies. Learn more here. The last day to pick up Hometown Hero cookies from cupboards is March 24. #SilverTicketWinner #2021GirlScoutCookieProgram #cookies #SouthwesternCO #2021SilverTicketWinner #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #Cortez