The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association stunned the rodeo world Monday when its board voted to seriously pursue relocating its headquarters and Hall of Fame from Colorado Springs to Cheyenne, Wyoming, ending a 47-year run in the Springs.
The decision, while not final, marks the strongest signal yet that the sport’s governing body is ready to trade Pikes Peak views for Wyoming’s wide-open plains.
Why Cheyenne Made the Winning Bid
Cheyenne officials didn’t just talk rodeo; they offered to build it.
Wyoming’s capital pledged to construct a brand-new, purpose-built campus that will house PRCA administrative offices plus a state-of-the-art Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy.
“This isn’t just an office move; it’s a legacy move,” PRCA CEO Tom Glause told reporters. “Cheyenne lives rodeo every single day. Daddy of ‘Em All isn’t a slogan here; it’s a lifestyle.”
The Frontier Days city already hosts the world’s largest outdoor rodeo every July, drawing more than 200,000 fans over ten days. Local leaders believe adding the PRCA headquarters will cement Cheyenne as the undisputed capital of professional rodeo.
Colorado Springs Fought Hard to Keep Them
Mayor Yemi Mobolade didn’t sit idle.
He rallied an all-star coalition: Colorado Springs Sports Corp, El Pomar Foundation, Visit COS, the Chamber & EDC, Bryan Construction, and the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Foundation.
Together they offered millions in incentives plus a privately funded capital campaign to completely renovate the current Penrose Equestrian Center home of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.
It still wasn’t enough.
Despite the generous package, the PRCA board voted unanimously to advance talks with Wyoming.
What the Move Means for Fans and Events
Good news first: Your favorite Colorado rodeos aren’t going anywhere.
The Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo will continue as always. The NFR Open is locked in at the Norris Penrose Event Center through at least 2031.
“The events stay exactly the same,” said Laurie Carroll, President of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. “Fans won’t notice any difference in the dirt except maybe fewer suits walking around the barns.”
The current Hall of Fame on Arcturus Drive will either close permanently or be repurposed once the new Cheyenne facility opens in early 2029.
Timeline of the Potential Move
- November 2025: PRCA first announces exploratory talks with Cheyenne
- January 2026: Board votes to “seriously consider” relocation
- 2026-2028: Design and construction of new Wyoming campus
- Early 2029: Expected move date for staff and operations
Roughly 80 employees currently work at the Colorado Springs headquarters. PRCA leadership says they will offer relocation packages and remote work options where possible.
A Love Letter to Colorado Springs
For nearly five decades, the Springs proudly called itself the home of professional rodeo.
The relationship began in 1978 when the PRCA moved from Denver, lured by cheap land and a community that embraced cowboy culture.
Generations of local kids grew up touring the Hall of Fame, touching legendary saddles, and dreaming of the day they’d hear their name called at the National Finals.
That chapter appears to be closing.
Yet rodeo runs deeper than one building or one organization. From Cañon City to Monte Vista, from the Rooftop Rodeo in Estes Park to the National Western Stock Show, Colorado’s Western heartbeat remains strong.
The cowboys will keep coming. The bucking horses will keep kicking. And somewhere up in Cheyenne, a new Hall of Fame will rise to tell their stories.
But for now, Colorado Springs tips its hat to the PRCA, grateful for 47 incredible years, and quietly wipes away a tear under the brim.
What do you think about the PRCA leaving Colorado Springs? Drop your thoughts below, and if you’re fired up, use #SaveColoradoRodeo or #CheyenneBound on social media and let the world know where your heart rides.
