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A monumental Colorado spruce lights up Capitol Hill

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by Rocky Mountain PBS • Published on
Credit: Architect of the Capitol
Rocky Mountain PBS

WASHINGTON — The 2020 United States Capitol Christmas Tree completed its journey from Colorado to Washington, D.C. November 20, and was officially lit during a ceremony Wednesday, December 2.

“I hope it will remind us that whatever the challenges our times may bring, like this tree our country can grow stronger,” said Colorado Senator Michael Bennet at the lighting ceremony.

The tree, a 55-foot-tall Engelmann spruce harvested from the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests on November 5, now stands on the West Front Lawn of the Capitol building.

To make the roughly 2,000 mile journey to our nation’s capital, the tree was carefully packaged in a custom flat-bed truck and driven across the country. Along the way, the crew transporting the tree made several stops so people in Colorado could take a look at the monumental spruce.

There were over a half-dozen viewing opportunities of the tree for Coloradans over the course of six days. The first in-state stop for public viewing was in Norwood. The last was in Burlington.

Last month, Rocky Mountain PBS got a look at the tree during its stop in Salida.

Colorado Voices
The People's Tree
2:44
Published:

The People's Tree makes a quick stop in Salida, Colorado.

This year’s tree is the fourth Capitol Christmas Tree to come from Colorado. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tree was selected virtually this year.

“We used videos, pictures, and measurements supplied by the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests to identify a suitable Engelmann Spruce that all Coloradans can be proud of,” Director of Capitol Grounds and Arboretum for the Architect of the Capitol Jim Kaufmann said in a news release.

Standing at 55 feet, this year's spruce is actually the shortest of the four trees to have come from Colorado. The tallest is the 2012 Engelmann spruce from White River National Forest: 73 feet.

The tradition of the Capitol Christmas Tree—also referred to as The People’s Tree—dates back to 1964. You can revisit each year's tree here.

“I’d like to use this chance to express our gratitude to America’s National Forests and to the people who take care of them, including the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests in Colorado that provided this tree,” Bennet said. “Our National Forests are part of a rich American heritage that all of us who work in the Capitol must pass on to the next generation, including the students from all over Colorado who decorated this beautiful tree.”

Bennet said the tree will serve as a symbol of “hope and unity” during the difficult times brought on by the pandemic.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was also at the ceremony. She called it a “celebration of growth and hope and peace.”

“I thank the Colorado delegation and the people of Colorado for blessing our Capitol Christmas celebration with this magnificent Engelmann spruce,” Pelosi said. “On behalf of the House, I send my best wishes to Governor Polis and First Gentleman Marlon Reis for a speedy recovery.”

Polis and Reis are currently in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19. The governor said they are doing well and have only experienced mild symptoms.

Pelosi said that it was a “logistical miracle” that the tree made it across the country intact. You can revisit the journey—including all the stops in Colorado— on the official U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Facebook page.

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