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Governor Polis, Forest Service Celebrate U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from Colorado

Monday, July 27, 2020

Delta, CO – Governor Jared Polis with USDA Forest Service Acting Regional Forester for the Rocky Mountain Region, Jennifer Eberlien, Director of Communications and Sponsorships, Jodi Massey and Director Cathy Ritter from the Colorado Tourism Office, announced the kick-off of the 2020 Capitol Christmas Tree project. Governor Polis and special guests encouraged Coloradans to “Experience Your Nature”, the theme of this year’s tree, and get involved with making an ornament for the tree.

“I’m thrilled that one of Colorado’s magnificent Engelmann Spruce is heading to Washington D.C. to represent our state at the U.S. Capitol during the holidays this year,” said Governor Jared Polis. “Coloradans are proud of our state’s natural beauty, forests, and incredible outdoor spaces, and I’m glad the rest of the country will be able to see a small piece of the majesty that Colorado offers. While this is a difficult time for people across our state and across the country, I hope that Colorado’s contribution to the national Christmas spirit can help bring us all together.”

Every year since 1970, USDA Forest Service has provided the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. Several smaller, companion trees will also be sent to Washington, D.C., to decorate government buildings and public spaces. Providing the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, also known as “The People’s Tree,” is a great honor for the State of Colorado and the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests. It provides an opportunity to highlight the state’s breathtaking cultural and natural resources and Colorado’s world-class recreational settings and activities. The tree will be displayed on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., with a public tree-lighting ceremony in early December 2020.

“The GMUG is honored and excited to be providing the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. The GMUG plays an important role in Experiencing Your Nature and we look forward to highlighting all that the GMUG has to offer. We are thrilled about the opportunity to work with and showcase the great state of Colorado” said Acting Regional Forester, Jennifer Eberlien.

“We sincerely hope the gift of this towering tree from Colorado for the Capitol lawn helps inspire deep pride in America the Beautiful and happiness throughout the holidays, while showcasing the splendor of Colorado’s Mountains and Mesas region," said Colorado Tourism Director Cathy Ritter."

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative is made possible with cash and in-kind contributions from companies large and small as well as volunteers locally and across America, who provide vital support of time and resources. Sponsors include Kenworth Truck Company, Apex Transportation, Spireon, Inc., Hale Trailer, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Truckload Carriers Association, Great West Casualty Company**, LexisNexis VitalChek Network, Inc., TravelCenters of America, Montrose County Event Center and Bass Pro Shops.

The Forest will be working closely with Choose Outdoors for the project along with a host of other partners, sponsors and volunteers who will contribute funding and thousands of hours to help make ornaments and transport the tree from Colorado to Washington, D.C.

“The annual journey is only possible with the help of strong community partnerships throughout Colorado and beyond state lines,” said Bruce Ward, President of Choose Outdoors. “We’re grateful for the time and resources that are generously provided to celebrate our public lands and help bring hope and joy to the nation.”

Communities will be encouraged to share the experience of caring for, decorating and transporting this gift from Colorado to Washington D.C. For more information on how to get involved and follow the excitement visit the Capitol Christmas Tree website at https://www.uscapitolchristmastree.com.

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‘The People’s Tree’ Lights up the Capitol

Friday, December 06, 2019

A special gift from the Carson National Forest has successfully completed its cross-country journey to Washington, D.C.

Harvested on Nov. 6, 2019, the massive 60-foot blue spruce, known affectionately as the “People’s Tree,” traveled over 2,000 miles and stopped for celebrations in 25 communities before arriving at the U.S. Capitol in late November. Today, the tree stands on the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building and is decorated with thousands of handcrafted ornaments made by New Mexicans.

The tree was lit Wednesday evening by the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi during a public tree lighting ceremony on the West Front Lawn.

Season 15 winner of the Voice, Chevel Shephard, kicked off the Christmas spirit with a traditional melody, followed by the U.S. Army Brass Quintet and remarks from the New Mexico Delegation, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, and USDA Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen.

The tree will be lit from nightfall until 11 p.m. each evening through Jan. 1, 2020.

The annual lighting of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is an honored tradition of more than 50 years. In fact, the “People’s Tree” dates back to 1964 when Architect of the Capitol J. George Stewart, at the suggestion of the Speaker of the House John W. McCormack, established the yearly tradition of decorating a tree on the West Front Lawn. Since 1970, the USDA Forest Service has provided the trees. Each year a different national forest has been invited to provide “The People’s Tree” to celebrate the holidays. The Forest Service also works with state forests to provide smaller companion trees for offices in Washington, D.C.

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An inside look at the New Mexican products traveling with the US Capitol Christmas tree

Monday, November 25, 2019

As seen on KOB 4

A 60 foot blue spruce from New Mexico has spent the last two weeks traveling across the country. The journey has taken the tree to the U.S. Capitol to be this year's Christmas tree.

The tree wasn't the only thing headed to the U.S. Capitol, though. Those who got to see the tree also were able to get their hands on some classic New Mexican products.

To learn more, watch the interview with Debi and Pat Bartucci of Statewide Products.

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Why I love New Mexico’s forests and public lands

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Written by Asher Dean, Winner of the 4th Grade Essay Contest. Asher will travel to Washington D.C. to help light the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree on Dec. 4.

I heard a story once about “horny toads” from my mother. How she used to catch so many they filled a shoebox. And my grandfather told me about the Lobo’s howl. Both of these animals are rare or endangered now and I have not found one myself. I hope one day to tell my own children about the animals I experience in the forests of New Mexico. Tadpoles, horned owls, fence-tail lizards, trout, coyotes and bats. We hike through the forest into the Rio Grande gorge and I know it is magic. The beauty of it all is more than enchanting, it takes my breath away, or brings me back to it in a way. I feel like Brian from my book, Hatchet, when I spend time in the wilderness and I return to a place of quietness and respect for nature.

Sometimes when I go fishing I catch rainbow trout in the glimmering Red River. I see Rio Grande Chirping Frogs hoping along the riverbank. When I hike in the Taos Ski Valley I see marmots by Williams Lake, 11,000 feet into the deep blue sky. I am stunned when I explore Fossil Hill and discover the fossils of the sea creatures that used to live in New Mexico. It is amazing how a million years ago the New Mexico forests used to be seaweed under the ocean. I see Red Tailed Hawks near the Carson National Forest swooping down to catch little creatures to bring home for their babies. I see Stink Beetles burying their head in the trail near my home in Llano Quemado. I watch lizards climb the trees and scurry off into the wilderness. In Bandalier, I explore the cave the Native Americans used to live in. I can see where the fire burnt the top of the cave and there is a kiva hole to stick my head out of. Going down the 10-foot ladder it scares me and I respect the rich culture that came before me, their fearlessness.

We must keep this beautiful forest natural and unharmed because the animals deserve a home, deserve not to be hurt. The people of this Land of Enchantment deserve the clean air the aspen, ponderosa pine and pinon trees help make. My friends deserve the chance to swim in clear rivers and discover the secrets of our wilderness. When I lie in my bed and dream about my future, I see myself as an entomologist. I want to discover all the insects, arthropods and arachnids in New Mexico. If we protect our open spaces and wild areas then these creatures will still be there for discovery, for hope and for awesomeness.

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Governor Polis, Forest Service Celebrate U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from Colorado

‘The People’s Tree’ Lights up the Capitol

An inside look at the New Mexican products traveling with the US Capitol Christmas tree

Why I love New Mexico’s forests and public lands