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The 2020 Capitol Christmas Tree or “The People’s Tree” is scheduled to come through Salida on November 13 on its way to become the nation’s Christmas Tree. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day, the tree will be displayed at Salida High School.

This tradition began in 1964 when Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, John W. McCormack placed a live tree on the Capitol lawn. The tree lived for three years before perishing to wind and root damage.

In 1970 the Capitol Architect asked the U.S. Forest Service to provide a Christmas tree for the nation.

Now every year a different national forest is chosen to provide The People’s Tree. The national forest also works with state forests to provide companion trees for offices in Washington D.C. This year, the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests will provide the 2020 tree.

The “People’s Tree” lights up the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Tanya Flores, Office of Communications.

The community is invited to take part in telling the story of Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, the State of Colorado, and the tree’s journey to the U.S. Capitol. Click here to view the tree tracker.

In order to view the tree, participants must wear masks and practice social distancing guidelines.

This program is made possible thanks to the generous support of local and national partners

Local sponsors who made this possible include: The City of Salida, Salida Chamber of Commerce, Salida Business Alliance (SBA), Buena Vista  & Salida Colorado – Chaffee County Visitors Bureau, Chaffee County, Greater Arkansas River & Nature Association (GARNA), Boys & Girls Clubs of Chaffee County, Salida Creative District, and the Salida Spartans.

Below is a full tour schedule:

  • November 10 – Norwood, CO
    10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – San Miguel County Fairgrounds, 1165 Summit St.
  • November 10 – Montrose, CO
    3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Montrose Visitor Center, 107 S. Cascade Ave.
  • November 11 – Ouray, CO
    9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Ouray County Courthouse, 541 4th St.
  • November 11 – Grand Junction, CO
    5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Grand Junction Convention Center – 159 Main St
  • November 12 – Paonia, CO
    10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Grand Avenue between 2nd St and 3rd St.
  • November 12 – Gunnison, CO
    2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Gunnison Community School, 1099 N. 11th St.
  • November 13 – Salida, CO
    11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Salida High School – 26 Jones Ave.
  • November 14 – Denver, CO
    5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Bass Pro Shops – 7970 Northfield Blvd
  • November 15 – Burlington, CO
    11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Kit Carson County Fairgrounds – 815 15th St.
  • November 17 – Asheville, NC
    3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Asheville Outlets – 800 Brevard Rd, Food Court Parking Lot
  • November 19 – Joint Base Andrews, MD
  • November 20 – Delivery to the U.S. Capitol
    *Schedule subject to change.