HELENA — Monday at the Montana State Capitol, leaders marked the start of the holiday season by lighting the Capitol Christmas tree.

“It’s terrific to bring a little Christmas cheer into the Capitol,” said Gov. Greg Gianforte.

Watch the video here: Montana lights up State Capitol Christmas tree

Gianforte led a crowd of onlookers in a countdown before officially lighting up the 29-foot Douglas fir. The Carroll College Choirs were on hand to sing Christmas carols.

Jonathon Ambarian

The tree was cut down last week, on U.S. Forest Service land near Seeley Lake. Over the weekend, crews from the Montana Department of Administration General Services Division placed the 450-pound tree in the Capitol rotunda and decorated it with more than 3,600 lights and 950 ornaments.

Gianforte said the

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