Rodeo group may move HQ to Wyoming, but conservatives question incentives

As pro rodeo weighs shifting its headquarters, Wyoming’s debate over public incentives is emerging as the deciding factor, setting up a potential fight during the state’s next legislative budget session. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association has voted to seriously consider relocating from Colorado to Wyoming, with the University of Wyoming Cowboys and Cheyenne Frontier Days among the attractions cited in support of the change.

The timeline for any final decision runs through the Wyoming Legislature’s four-week session beginning Feb. 9, when lawmakers will hash out a state budget. Conservative lawmakers in Wyoming are questioning whether public money should be used to lure a private enterprise, and some of them hold sway over budget negotiations.

Rodriguez-Williams, a Republican state representative from Cody who chairs the Freedom Caucus, said her state welcomes the PRCA but drew a line at government handouts. In a text message Thursday, she said, “What Wyoming doesn’t love is when multimillion-dollar corporations attempt to blackmail the taxpayers for handouts,” adding, “We’re happy to welcome the PRCA to the Cowboy State, but would hope they’d come the cowboy way — on their own dime.”

Wyoming’s Freedom Caucus counts nearly a quarter of the state House, and Rodriguez-Williams’ allies vote with the group often enough that lawmakers could block or reduce the incentive package needed to finalize the move. Supporters of the PRCA relocation have pointed to what they say would be a local match as well: the proposal calls for Wyoming’s $15 million to be matched by $15 million from Cheyenne LEADS, the city’s economic development organization.

The PRCA board’s consideration also has immediate geographic stakes for Colorado Springs, where the organization has been based since 1979. The PRCA’s ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy would also leave Colorado Springs if the headquarters move proceeds, and Colorado Springs officials said the city had already made its case. “We made our pitch, we made our presentation. We await whatever happens,” city spokesperson Jason Strickland said.

Even with legislative skepticism, proponents of the relocation say Wyoming’s rodeo identity aligns with the PRCA’s presence. Gov. Mark Gordon, a Republican who said he is not aligned with the Freedom Caucus, backed keeping the Wyoming Business Council and providing state help tied to the PRCA move. In a statement announcing the PRCA vote, Gordon said, “Rodeo has been a part of Wyoming since before we were a state. It is in our DNA.”

Not all conservative lawmakers appear to be on the same side of the funding dispute. Rep. Scott Heiner, a Freedom Caucus Republican from Green River, said he would be “glad” to see the PRCA move to Wyoming but objected to the state using incentives to “pick winners or losers” among private businesses. “Businesses and industry should be able to stand on their own,” Heiner said. “If they have a valid reason to come to Wyoming and have the means to do that, I welcome them with open arms.”

Wyoming officials have been pursuing the PRCA relocation since last year, but the move is expected to take time even if the state reaches agreement on incentives. The PRCA’s chief marketing officer, Paul Woody, said the effort is not meant as a short-term relocation. “It’s not a short-term decision. It’s where we need to be in 50 years,” Woody said.

Cheyenne LEADS director of business recruitment and retention Rachelle Zimmerman said a study projects the PRCA move would create $253 million in economic benefits for Wyoming over a decade. Zimmerman said the organization views the proposal as aligned with community support. “We feel like this is the perfect project,” Zimmerman said. “I think the majority of Wyoming supports this.”