Steamboat ProRodeo Series Keeps the Past Alive

Steamboat's rodeos have grown over the years and are now major events sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), and there is a modern rodeo arena in downtown Steamboat on the same land the cowboys chose for their competitions years ago. The arena underwent renovations in 1989, and in 1990 it was renamed the Romick Arena in honor of local rodeo rider Brent Romick.

The rodeo is still an important part of summer in Steamboat Springs. Every Friday and Saturday evening from mid-June to Labor Day Steamboat holds PRCA-sanctioned competitions during the Steamboat Springs ProRodeo Series, with additional rodeo events, such as pro bull riding, team penning and team roping throughout the summer.

Steamboat's rodeo is as popular today as ever. While the sport doesn't utilize many modern inventions, its roots run back to the cowboy era, which is one of the most popular historically. Today, cowboys are still icons of the West for their independence and toughness, which spectators can watch first-hand during rodeo competitions.

Why is the rodeo so important to the town of Steamboat Springs in this modern day and age? "Steamboat was a ranching town before it was anything else," said John Shipley of the Steamboat Springs ProRodeo Series. "I think the rodeo is important to our community because it reminds us of our heritage in Northwest Colorado. It helps us keep our noses on our faces and not up in the air and our boots planted firmly on the ground.”

Steamboat Springs’ rodeo was recently named the 2002 PRCA Small Outdoor Rodeo of the Year out of about 500 rodeos in its category. Shipley said Steamboat wasn't being honored for a single stand-out rodeo or for one week or one season, but for a body of work over several years where the series has been striving to make the rodeo better, faster-paced and quicker running.