The Capitol Christmas Tree Is Coming From Colorado

MEEKER, Colo (CBS4) The nation's Capitol has picked the perfect spruce for its Christmas tree this year and it's coming from Colorado.

This year's chosen tree is a beautiful 73-foot Colorado Englemann spruce. The spruce comes from The White River National Forest.

"This tree needs to be almost perfect from all sides because it sits on the west lawn of the capitol. He liked the shape, it's got that classic Christmas tree shape, it's full," said Forest Ranger Ken Coffin.

The classic tree was picked from Dan Schwartz's lodge just outside of Meeker.

Schwartz and his family were joined by dozens of Meeker residents early this morning to watch crews chop down the pine.

"There's a lot of pride. It's gradually been building and I've been really touched, quite honestly, about how the community has come together and supported the project. And it means a lot to a small town in northwestern Colorado," Coffin added.

The tree is now en route to Washington. However, it isn't making the 4,000 mile journey alone.

""It's been great, we're going to travel out to D.C. and watch the tree get lit and so it's pretty unique experience. Hopefully they're [the kids] old enough to remember. And we'll have plenty of photos and stories to tell if they don't," said Schwartz.

The Schwartz family will have plenty of stories to tell how one small Colorado town made a big mark on the U.S. Capitol.