November 2020- The 2020 U.S. Capitol Christmas tree tour schedule is now available, thanks in large part to Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests. They partnered with several non-profits including, Choose Outdoors and Colorado Tourism.

“Experience Your Nature” is the theme for this year’s tour. The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree (a 55-foot tall Engelmann Spruce) will be harvested November 6th in Colorados Uncompahgre National Forest and prepared for the nearly 2,000-mile trip.

The journey will include a series of outdoor community celebrations. The Christmas tree will arrive at the U.S. Capitol on November 20th. Decorations will be handmade ornaments created by Coloradans and lit on the West Lawn in early December.

A Kenworth T680 will deliver the tree from Colorado to Washington, D.C.

The T680 comes with a 76-inch sleeper and the PACCAR Powertrain featuring the 455-hp PACCAR MX-13 engine, 12-speed automated transmission, and 40K tandem rear axles.

The truck is also specified with Kenworth’s “Driver’s Studio” with 180-degree passenger swivel seat and 90-degree rotating table, Kenworth Diamond VIT interior, premium Kenworth GT703 seats, predictive cruise control, Kenworth Nav+HD system, liftable lower bunk, upper bunk, and Kenworth TruckTech+® Remote Diagnostics.

2020 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour schedule:

  • Nov. 10: San Miguel County Fairgrounds (Norwood, CO) and Montrose Visitor Center (Montrose, CO)
  • Nov. 11: Ouray County Courthouse (Ouray, CO) and Grand Junction Convention Center (Grand Junction, CO)
  • Nov. 12: Downtown Paonia (Paonia, CO) and Gunnison Community School (Gunnison, CO)
  • Nov. 13: Salida High School (Salida, CO)
  • Nov. 14: Bass Pro Shops (Denver, CO)
  • Nov. 15: Kit Carson County Fairgrounds (Burlington, CO)
  • Nov. 17: Asheville Outlets (Asheville, NC)
  • Nov. 20: Delivery to West Lawn, U.S. Capitol Building (Washington, D.C.)

For more information, visit the 2020 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree website.

Choose Outdoors is a non-profit organization that works with the Forest Service on promoting outdoor recreation and public access to federal lands for recreation. They also assist with coordinating the annual Christmas tree tour.