Colorado Motor Carriers Association Welcomes Capitol Christmas Tree to the Centennial State

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Nov 16, 2016, 11:00 ET

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Colorado Motor Carriers Association and American Trucking Associations proudly celebrate the arrival of the Capitol Christmas Tree to the state of Colorado.

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight.Trucking Moves America Forward.

"Colorado has a strong history of transporting holiday goods, including Christmas trees, to places across North America and CMCA members are overjoyed that our industry is being recognized as a major component of the holiday season," said Colorado Motor Carriers President Greg Fulton. "Although this tree originated in Idaho and will find a home in Washington, D.C., we are fully supportive of its mission to bring joy and unity to Coloradoans who encounter it this week."

The Capitol Christmas Tree tradition started in 1964 when the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, John W. McCormack, set up a live Christmas tree on the Capitol Lawn. Since then, the tree has become a must-see wintertime destination for Washingtonians and visitors to the nation's capital. In 1990, Colorado provided the tree for the first time, delivering an Engelmann spruce from Routt National Forest to the Capitol Lawn.

"Our industry's more than 3.5 million truck drivers play a vital role in safely delivering holiday joy to America's homes," said ATA COO and Executive Vice President of Industry Affairs Elisabeth Barna. "Trucks deliver our favorite holiday meals, lights that adorn our homes and gifts that show our friends and family members how much we appreciate them."

With stops planned in Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs and Denver this week, thousands of Colorado residents, young and old, will have a chance to view this year's 80-foot Engelmann spruce headed towards the Capitol's West Lawn. The events, scheduled for Nov. 16, 17, and 18 in the aforementioned cities, will give attendees an opportunity to hear more about outdoor recreation from Choose Outdoors. Visitors will also have a chance to sign the side of the specially designed trailer and learn about the essential role of trucking in the national economy.

The Capitol Christmas Tree will arrive at Joint Base Andrews, just outside Washington, D.C., on November 27. In early December, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan will officially light the tree and invite a contest-winning Idaho student to read his or her poem about the tree.

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward.

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SOURCE American Trucking Associations