Ripple Creek Lodge was the site of the 2012 US Capitol Christmas tree. The 75ft tall, 74 year old Englemen Spruce was selected by the US Capitol Architect to anchor the National Mall for the 2012 holiday season. The “People’s Tree” was harvested from Ripple Creek Lodge on November 2nd, 2012 before taking a six week tour across America on its way to Washington D.C. The towering Colorado tree was set in the west lawn of the US Capitol, decorated with over five thousand handmade ornaments from Colorado school kids and covered in an impressive ten thousands lights for the lighting ceremony on December 2, 2012. While you’re at the Lodge take a photo of the stump from a truly historical part of Colorado’s contribution to America.