History was made in Meeker today after the 2012 Capitol Christmas Tree was cut down from White River National Forest.

The Engelmann Spruce tree reaches 73 feet tall and will travel more than 3,000 miles before reaching its destination on the Capitol's lawn in Washington, D.C. on November 26th.

The cutting of the Capitol Tree, also called the "People's Tree," has been a long time coming for 10-year-old Meeker resident Nick Massey, whose family organized the gathering of all 10,000 ornaments that will hang on the tree.

"It means a lot because Meeker, it's just one of those little towns and for the Capitol Christmas Tree to come from it, that's a pretty big deal," Massey said.

Congressman Scott Tipton said this couldn't have come at a better time.

"With all of the fires we've had in Colorado this year and then to have one of our trees, particularly out of our district, to be going as the national Christmas tree, it's very exciting," Tipton said.

Funds collected along the tree's tour will go towards restoration efforts from the High Park and Waldo Canyon wildfires in Colorado earlier this year.

Meeker will hold celebrations tonight before the tree departs on its journey Monday, stopping in more than 30 cities along its way. It will pass through Grand Junction on Thursday, Nov. 8th. The public will be able to see it at Cabela's in Grand Junction from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.