Colorado Capitol Tree Honors Fallen Military Members

This year's Colorado Capitol tree will honor fallen members of the military from Colorado.

The tree, which was lit Wednesday, is decorated with cards bearing the names of 142 service members who died in Afghanistan and Iraq. The 13-foot Noble fir is also decked with 300 red, white and blue energy-efficient LED lights.

Gov. Bill Ritter participated in the tree-lighting ceremony, his last as governor.

The Capitol tree was grown on a tree farm and is smaller than ones used in years past, when giant firs were cut from state forests. The security doors at the state Capitol now limit the size of trees that can fit through.

The tree is open to viewing weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. through the end of December.