It’s nearly cookie time.

But the annual Girl Scouts cookie program is not only about selling sweet treats, but also developing entrepreneurial skills and instilling confidence.

“Everyone loves Girl Scout cookies. But the program is about so much more than cookies,” said Leanna Clark, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Colorado. “When you purchase cookies, you are helping girls power their Girl Scout leadership experience and you’re supporting entrepreneurs.”

Girl Scouts have started taking digital orders and are expected to begin selling cookies in person starting Feb 4.

Adventurefuls, Dos-Si-Does, Lemon-Ups, Tagalongs, Thin Mints and Trefoils sell for $5 a package. S’mores and gluten-free Toffee-tanstic cookies sell for $6 a package.

Proceeds from Girl Scout cookie sales fund service projects, troop travel and summer camps. All proceeds from cookie sales in Colorado stay in Colorado.

Girl Scouts also honor food banks, military and uniformed personnel and nonprofit organizations through its hometown heroes and gift of caring programs. Customers can purchase cookies to donate to Girl Scout heroes. The goal for the 2024 programs in Colorado is 200,000 packages.

In Mesa County, a fund-raising event titled Give a Chef a Cookie is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 23. Local chefs will prepare dishes infused with Girl Scout cookies. Attendees will get to sample six recipes. For more information, contact Ashley Douglas at (970) 628-8004 or ashley.douglas@gscolorado.org.

For more information about Girl Scout cookies, log on to www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/cookies.