Advancement
Advancement is a core part of the Scouting program. It’s age-appropriate for the youth participating, and ranks form the foundation of the experience — established and authorized by the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America, and detailed in each program’s member handbooks.
The advancement program is run by a mix of adult and youth leaders, with youth taking on more ownership as they progress. Parents’ role shifts as their Scout gets older, but all parents are encouraged to stay engaged at every level.
Advance within your program:
- Cub Scouts Adventures
- Scouts BSA Advancement and Awards
- Venturing Rank Advancement
- Sea Scouts Advancement Central
Advancement Resources
- General Resources, Rank Advancement Forms & Merit Badge Materials
- Guide to Advancement 2025
- Scoutbook Plus is your go-to tool for tracking advancement, milestone achievements, and all the fun along the way.
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Help and Tutorials for answers to commonly asked Scoutbook questions, Scoutbook How To’s, and so much more!
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- All about Merit Badges
- Become a merit badge counselor and share your expertise, time, knowledge, and resources to help Scouts explore their interests and broaden their horizons. A Guide for Merit Badge Counseling
- The Greater Colorado Council has a limit of 15 Merit Badges per Counselor. Merit Badge Counselor Application
Recogniton
Recognition celebrates the achievements of both youth and adult volunteers — from religious emblems and Honor Camper awards to adult recognitions like the District Award of Merit. It runs alongside advancement but through a separate set of programs and paperwork.
Recognition programs (coming soon)
- US Emblems (all faiths)
- National Outdoor Awards / Honor Camper
- National Eagle Scout Association (NESA)
- Adult recognitions (District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver, etc.)
- Unit and den/patrol-level recognition ideas
- Life Saving and Meritorious Awards
Process: Order forms and nomination timelines for adult awards vary by recognition type — contact your District Advancement & Recognition Chair below to start a nomination or order regalia/patches for a Court of Honor.
Council-level: For council-wide advancement policy, Eagle Board scheduling, or escalations, contact the Council Advancement & Recognition Committee via your District Chair below, or the Council Staff Advisor.
- Alpine District: Lesley Grey – (720) 272.0808
- Black Feather District: Les Sutter
- Centennial District: Richard Hall -(303) 401.5943
- Frontier District: Greg Holt – (303) 513-6317
- Majestic Mesas District: Linda Kukulan – (970) 275.2051
- Three Rivers District: D.J. Dickey
- Valley District: Tami Knisely
- Council Chair: Andre Pauka
- Staff Advisor: Alberto Rodriguez – (720) 266.2237
