As sports fans across the U.S. count the days until Super Bowl LX, a different kind of kickoff was taking place on Sunday. Girl Scout cookie season began in earnest on Sunday, and youngsters in their signature tan vests could be seen at storefronts and other locations across Colorado Springs. In a typical season, Girl Scouts will sell more than 200 million packages of cookies nationwide, raising more than $800 million, according to data from Girl Scouts of the USA. Jordan Hedding of Troop 44307 said she hopes to sell at least 1,500 boxes. “That’s how much I’ve sold for the past three years,” said Hedding, 12. “I plan to hit that goal again this year.” Goal setting is one of the five essential skills Girl Scouts develop from selling cookies, according to the Girl Scouts of the USA website. The other skills are money management, people skills, decision-making and business ethics. The cookie-selling program is the largest girl-led business in the U.S., the website states. Lydia Briggs, 12, said her cookie-selling experience has made her more of an extrovert. “It helps shy people to become a little more comfortable talking to strangers and getting to know new people,” she said. “I enjoy that part of it now. It’s fun getting to meet new people.” On Sunday, Briggs and her mates from Troop 47180 took advantage of the warm weather to stake out a spot on the city’s east side. “The weather is great today,” she said. “We’ve had some cold days. We were out in a blizzard once. This is a lot nicer.” Many customers were eager to try the new Girl Scout cookie for the 2026 season. Exploremores, a rocky-road inspired sandwich cookie, replaced the discontinued S’mores and Toast-Yay! Early reviews among the Scouts have been mixed. “They’re OK,” said Delaney Steinwinder of Troop 6317. “They didn’t have the Rocky Road flavor I was expecting.” “I’m not a huge fan,” Jordan Hedding said. “But they’ve been selling well. They’ve been the main attraction so far.” “I think they’re really good,” Lydia Briggs said. “Our family likes them.” “Not bad,” said Aspen Vaille of Troop 47180. “They kinda taste like Cocoa Puffs.” If a troop has excess cookies at the end of the season — which runs from Feb. 1 to March 15 — it typically works with local food pantries and other charitable organizations to distribute the treats. Troop 6317 plans to donate any extra cookies to police officers, firefighters and other first responders. “They’re our hometown heroes,” said Delaney Steinwinder. “They do so much for us, so this is a chance to do something nice for them.” ...read more read less