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It's official: PRCA, rodeo hall moving to New Mexico
By PAM ZUBECK - THE GAZETTE

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the ProRodeo Hall of Fame will move from Colorado Springs to Albuquerque, officials announced Saturday.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson hailed the move as an economic boost that will bring 85 full-time jobs and 50,000 Hall of Fame visitors annually to New Mexico.

The PRCA, which sanctions roughly 650 rodeos a year that draw 24 million fans, promised to bring "major rodeo events" to New Mexico as part of a relocation agreement, according to the PRCA's news release.

The release said details of the deal are being completed, including the location for the headquarters and Hall of Fame, but it said the package includes state funding to help build a new facility within the next 18 months and $5 million to promote professional rodeo.

Details will be disclosed at a news conference Monday in Santa Fe.

Colorado Springs City Councilman Jerry Heimlicher expressed sadness at losing the organization's headquarters, which has been in Colorado Springs since 1979, but said he knew of no attempt by the PRCA to negotiate with the city to stay.

Even if it had, the city could do little, Heimlicher said.

"This is a major issue in Colorado Springs," he said, adding that many cities, including Pueblo, offer incentives to attract or keep businesses, but Colorado Springs has no mechanism for that. Last year, however, the city agreed to provide $100,000 in incentives to Western Forge to stay and expand.

For lifetime El Paso County resident, rancher and former county commission chairman Loren Whittemore, the PRCA - Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association move is further evidence the area is shifting from an Old West trademark to a high-tech and military image.

He noted the loss of the National Little Britches Rodeo and Professional Bull Riders Inc., which have moved to Pueblo.

"We are losing our roots," Whittemore said.

The PRCA owns a parcel at 101 Pro Rodeo Drive in northwest Colorado Springs, which is valued at $1.5 million. The Pro Rodeo Hall of Champions owns a parcel with the same address valued at $5 million.

Richardson has vowed to pump nearly $4 million into improving rodeo facilities statewide and boosting youth rodeo programs.

"The move to New Mexico is a very exciting development for the sport of ProRodeo," PRCA Commissioner Troy Ellerman said in the news release. "The PRCA Board of Directors and administration sees this as more than an attractive financial offer. It's also a great opportunity to grow the ProRodeo brand, and elevate professional rodeo to the level of other major league sports."
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