80-foot Christmas tree headed for U.S. Capitol stops in Colorado on Monday

The 80-foot tree headed for display at the U.S. Capitol this year will stop in Colorado on Monday as part of a cross-country tour, federal officials said.

Coloradans had a chance to see the tree Sunday in Grand Junction and, according to a news release from the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree team, the tree will make a second Colorado stop in Loveland on Monday.

The tree will stop at the Ranch Events Complex in Loveland on Veterans Day and be available for viewing between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Loveland officials said.

At each stop along the way, people have the opportunity to sign the side of the Alaskan trailer, purchase U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree souvenirs from Alaska Geographic and collect free stickers and pins, federal officials said.

The Loveland stop will also feature hot chocolate, crafts and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

This year’s tree is an 80-foot tall Sitka Spruce harvested from Tongass National Forest in Alaska.

Every year, a different National Forest provides a tree to be displayed on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season.

Colorado provided the tree for display at the U.S. Capitol in 2020 — a 55-foot tall Engelmann Spruce from Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests.

The Alaska-grown tree for this year’s display kicked off its Whistlestop Tour around the country on Oct. 30 and, after Colorado, is expected to make stops in Nebraska, Indiana, Ohio and Maryland before arriving in Washington D.C. on Friday, Nov. 22, according to the news release.

The 4,000-mile journey from Alaska to the U.S. Capitol involved travel by boat and by truck, on a custom trailer.

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