PRCA Headquarters: PRCA board considers relocating to the Cowboy State
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) is “seriously considering” a move from Colorado to the Cowboy State, according to a Jan. 26 press release issued by the association.
Members of the PRCA board approved a non-binding memorandum outlining a potential relocation of headquarters – as well as the PRCA Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy – from Colorado Springs, Colo. to Cheyenne by early 2029.
The announcement has been met with general enthusiasm from Wyomingites but is not yet final, with the PRCA noting the ultimate decision will be contingent upon funding from the Wyoming Legislature and other variables.
Strategic move
The PRCA board views a potential relocation to Wyoming as a strategic move which capitalizes upon the Cowboy State’s rich connection to rodeo and sets the ever-growing world of Western sports up for continued success.
“The move would bring professional rodeo’s premier organization to the Cowboy State, where rodeo is officially recognized as Wyoming’s professional sport by vote of the Wyoming Legislature,” reads the press release.
The association says the decision was a thorough process which included conversations from multiple locations and a proposal from leadership in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Each of the competing offers were ultimately turned down in favor of Cheyenne, who offered to build a hall of fame and an administrative building to host the national headquarters with upgraded office space, first-class conference rooms and other amenities, according to the press release.
PRCA also cited Cheyenne’s “friendly business climate” and Wyoming’s lack of state income tax as two driving factors behind the relocation.
“This is a strategic decision positioning the PRCA for the future,” says PRCA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tom Glause. “Wyoming lives and breathes rodeo, and Cheyenne offers authenticity, visibility and alignment with our sport’s values.”
Glause also expresses excitement at the opportunity to build “a purpose-driven campus” in the Cowboy State, which “celebrates rodeo’s history while supporting its growth.”
Future plans
The proposed PRCA campus is set to be constructed in a well-traveled area near the intersection of I-25 and I-80 and will encompass approximately 35 acres, according to the press release.
Envisioned as “an anchor of a new western-themed entertainment, cultural and shopping district,” the site is meant to serve as a year-round destination for fans, families and visitors from around the world.
The decision to relocate has not been finalized, but if the plan does move forward, the transition is expected to occur in early 2029.
A final decision will be contingent upon approval of project funding by the Wyoming Legislature, which is set to begin debating 2026 budget decisions on Feb. 9.
The association also says additional public and private funding sources will be pursued, further noting in December 2025, the Cheyenne LEADS Board of Directors voted to commit $15 million from its reserves as matching funds toward the project.
The project is expected to reach roughly $60 million in total with city, county and private contributions, according to a Feb. 2 Laramie Boomerang article.
Wyomingites react
Public response to the PRCA’s announcement has been varied. Although many Wyomingites have expressed excitement over the opportunity, others have called for caution, citing concerns over securing funds for the extensive project.
Supporters, including
Gov. Mark Gordon and Cheyenne LEADS CEO Betsey Hale, have highlighted the Cowboy State’s deep connection to rodeo, rich Western heritage and opportunities for tourism centered in Cheyenne as benefits of the proposed relocation.
“Rodeo has been a part of Wyoming since before we were a state,” says Gordon. “There is no better place on Earth than right here in the Cowboy State for the PRCA to be headquartered. We have the legacy, respect the tradition and will always honor the cowboy way and Code of the West.”
According to Hale, Cheyenne LEADS strongly believes in the opportunity to build up PRCA’s presence in Wyoming, calling the relocation “a natural fit,” which would benefit both the PRCA and the state.
“This announcement reflects both Wyoming’s legacy and its future,” says Hale. “Rodeo is woven into the fabric of our state, and welcoming the PRCA, its headquarters and the hall of fame to Cheyenne is a natural fit. We look forward to partnering with the city of Cheyenne and Laramie County, along with the PRCA and other stakeholders, to bring this visionary campus to life.”
A Jan. 30 article by the Associated Press acknowledges another side of the argument – funding concerns.
The article emphasizes the fate of the decision lies within the hands of lawmakers who may vote against government funding for private enterprise and shut down the $15 million in funding which would be needed to get the project off the ground.
State Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams (R-HD50), chairwoman of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, tells the Associated Press, as much as Wyomingites would welcome the opportunity to house the PRCA, she hopes the association will not rely on taxpayers for funding.
“We’re happy to welcome the PRCA to the Cowboy State, but would hope they’d come the cowboy way – on their own dime,” says Rodriguez-Williams.
Despite this concern, the same Associated Press article references a study which projected the PRCA could secure $253 million in economic benefits for Wyoming over a decade-long period, according to comments by Rachelle Zimmerman, director of business recruitment and retention for Cheyenne LEADS.
“We feel like this is the perfect project,” Zimmerman tells the Associated Press. “I think the majority of Wyoming supports this.”
Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
