$15 Million for PRCA Move to Cheyenne Survives Budget Votes, Heads to Governor

Wyoming’s $9.9 billion biennial budget cleared the Legislature Monday with every penny of the $15 million Gov. Mark Gordon requested to help bring the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association headquarters to Cheyenne still intact—despite deep cuts elsewhere.

The funding survived a budget session where lawmakers threatened to dismantle the Wyoming Business Council and slash $40 million from the University of Wyoming. Sen. Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower, called the appropriation “probably the deepest support statewide than anything I’ve seen.”

“It’s all 100% done,” Driskill told Cowboy State Daily. “It’s just waiting on the governor’s signature at this point. Assuming he doesn’t veto something that causes problems, it should be off and going.”

The PRCA has voted to “seriously consider” moving from its Colorado Springs home of 46 years, but the deal requires a suitable location at no cost to the association. Cheyenne LEADS, the city’s economic development arm, has pledged matching private funds and envisions the headquarters as an anchor for the new Hitching Post Business District near the I-80 and I-25 interchange.

Supporters say the move cements Wyoming’s identity. “We’re the Cowboy State,” said PRCA Hall of Famer Bobby Harris. “It doesn’t fit anywhere any better than here.”

Beyond a museum and office jobs, Driskill sees the project transforming Cheyenne into a year-round tourism destination. Potential ripple effects are already appearing: Sen. Mike Gierau, D-Jackson, said United Airlines representatives showed keen interest during recent discussions about increasing flights to Cheyenne.

“It’s already crystalizing in their minds that Cheyenne is a place that’s on the come,” Gierau said.

Cheyenne Frontier Days CEO Tom Hirsig called the moment historic. “I never thought we’d get anything with this sort of consequence,” he said. “This thing was built by the cowboys, so that is Wyoming.”

The PRCA board must still give final approval, but supporters are optimistic. Driskill said the effort represents a new model for economic development: Wyoming residents identifying a fit and recruiting an existing business, rather than gambling on unknowns.

“If they’re going somewhere, we want them here,” Harris said.