Photo via Architect of the Capitol

The U.S. Capitol’s Christmas tree was installed earlier today, following a nearly month-long journey that began in the forests of northwestern Colorado. The Englemann spruce was chopped down from the White River National Forest on November 2, and after some ceremonial events in the Rocky Mountain State, finally made its way to Washington today.

The tree will be lit next Tuesday, December 4, by House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), who will presumably weep in relief when he enjoys throwing a light switch as a momentary break from incessant negotiations over marginal income tax rates.

Most specimens plucked in order to serve as the Capitol Christmas tree are shipped from the Mountain West, though Congress does like to mix up the geography now and then. The 2004 tree was a red spruce harvested in the Washington & Jefferson National Forest in Virginia.

But Coloradans might be taking their arboreal contribution a bit too far. The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree website—yes, this tree has its own website—is emblazoned with the slogan “Colorado’s Gift to the Nation.” Colorado offers the rest of the United States much by the way of its natural bounty, including many plant-related bequests. And while the state did recently present us with a marvelous verdant gift, it wasn’t a tree.