Last night, in perfect 66 degree weather, Speaker of the House John Boehner joined Architect of the Capitol Stephen Ayers and other dignitaries to light the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. This year's tree — a 65-foot Engelmann spruce — hails from Committee Member Scott Tipton's Colorado district, in the Blanco Ranger District of the White River National Forest. The "People's Tree" will be lit from night fall until 11 p.m. each evening through December 26, 2012.

"It's a great honor for Coloradans to showcase our state’s natural beauty by giving the gift of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree—the People's Tree—to our nation. This tree, which comes from the White River National Forest in my district, is one of many that make Colorado one of the most beautiful places in the world," Rep. Tipton said.

The Capitol Christmas Tree has been a tradition at the U.S. Capitol since 1964. A tree is selected each year from one of the nine national regions of the U.S. Forest Service. The 2013 Capitol Christmas Tree will come from the Colville National Forest in Washington state.

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Seasons Greetings from the United States Capitol! PIC of the 2012 #CapitolChristmasTree: twitter.com/NatResources/s…

— Natural Resources (@NatResources) December 4, 2012