How it all started

The tradition of the Capitol Christmas Tree, or ‘The People’s Tree’, began in 1964 when House Speaker John W. McCormack (D-MA) placed a live Christmas tree on the Capitol lawn. This tree lived three years before succumbing to wind and root damage.

In 1970, the Capitol Architect asked the U.S. Forest Service to provide this Christmas tree. Since then, a different National Forest is chosen each year to provide The People’s Tree. This national forest also works with state forests to provide ‘Companion Trees’, or smaller Christmas trees for offices around the capital.

2012 will be the third time that Colorado has provided the Capitol Christmas Tree. In 1990, it was provided by the Routt National Forest, and in 2000 by the Pike National Forest.

The 2012 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

The 2012 tree will be harvested on the Blanco Ranger District of the White River National Forest, near Meeker, Colorado.  Blanco Ranger District staff chose and recommended several tree candidates and in early August, the Superintendent of the Capitol Grounds made the final selection of the official 2012 Capitol Christmas Tree.

The tree will be harvested November 2nd, transported to the town of Meeker for a kick off celebration, and then wrapped for its journey. It will spend several weeks on the road visiting communities and military bases across the country before at the Capitol shortly after Thanksgiving.

The Capitol Christmas Tree will travel with ‘companion’ trees and more than 5,000 handmade ornaments. Coloradoans were invited to create ornaments depicting this year’s theme ‘Celebrating Our Great Outdoors.’ Youth age 5-19 who submit ornaments could be entered to win a trip to Washington, D.C. to light the tree with House Speaker John Boehner at a ceremony in early December. After the lighting ceremony, the Capitol Christmas Tree will be lit nightly from dusk to 11:00 pm throughout the holiday season.