Boy Scout Bankruptcy Won't Impact Denver Area Troops

DENVER, CO — Boy scout troops in metro Denver and the Western Slope should not be impacted by this week's bankruptcy filing by the Boy Scouts of America. The Denver Area Council, which governs boy scout activities throughout two dozen Colorado counties, said there should be no change to the local scouting experience.

"The Denver Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, has not filed for bankruptcy. Meetings and activities, district and Council events, other Scouting adventures and countless service projects are taking place as usual. In short, there should be no change to the local Scouting experience," the Denver Area Council said in a statement.

The national organization Boy Scouts of America is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, not the Denver Area Council. The Colorado council said it oversees all local camps, properties and contributions.

"The national organization of the Boy Scouts of America is the only entity involved in the Chapter 11 filing. The Denver Area Council — which provide programming, financial, facility, and administrative support to Scouting units in their communities – are not part of the filings. Councils are legal, separate, distinct and financially independent from the national organization."

The Boy Scouts of America are filing for bankruptcy to create a Victims Compensation Trust for scouts who were victims of sexual abuse. Many of those former scouts are now suing the Boy Scouts of America. Organization leaders said they hope the bankruptcy filing will clear the path for the 110-year-old group to continue into the future, while appropriately compensating victims of sexual abuse.

The bankruptcy petition listed the Boy Scouts' assets as between $1 billion and $10 billion, and its liabilities at $500 million to $1 billion, according to the Associated Press.

"The BSA cares deeply about all victims of abuse and sincerely apologizes to anyone who was harmed during their time in Scouting. We are outraged that there have been times when individuals took advantage of our programs to harm innocent children," said Roger Mosby, president and CEO. "While we know nothing can undo the tragic abuse that victims suffered, we believe the Chapter 11 process – with the proposed Trust structure – will provide equitable compensation to all victims while maintaining the BSA's important mission."

The organization added that, "Local councils, which provide programming, financial, facility and administrative support to Scouting units in their communities, have not filed for bankruptcy. They are legally separate, distinct and financially independent from the national organization."

For more information on the Victims Compensation Trust, visit the Boy Scouts website.

On May 1, 2019, The Denver Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America merged with the Western Colorado Council to provide financial stability and to enhance resources, the organization said. The Denver Area Council now offers programs in 24 counties.

Patch editor Chris Mosby contributed to this report.

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