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Steamboat Springs — The Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series won't be bucked by economic fears and falling revenues - at least in 2009.

Instead, rodeo board members have decided to hold firm to a 10-week, 20-performance schedule that begins next month, while offering a heavily discounted season pass for locals to encourage attendance and hoping for a strong season that ropes a return to historic funding levels.

"We're hoping we don't have our pockets pulled out at the end of the year," said rodeo board President John Shipley, who said a bad 2009 could force the board to look at downsizing next year. "At some point, you just can't do it without the money, and we'd have to cut back."

Board members had considered cutting back as soon as this year. The city - the main source of revenue for the rodeo series - cut its contribution to $30,000 this year, which is down from $45,000 in each of the previous two years. Attendance has trended slightly downward in recent years. The series also has seen a 20 to 25 percent decline in sponsorship dollars, Shipley estimated.

"Sponsorships are harder to get because of the economy," rodeo board member Paul Strong said. "We have some concerns for this year."

Nonetheless, the board ultimately decided to proceed optimistically this year, partially because of the healthy state of the rodeo's financial reserves, board member Ward Van Scoyk said.

"We are not cutting back, and it's not in jeopardy," board member John Kerst said. "We've got a budget that works, and we're going to surge ahead and make it work."

Rodeos have been present in the Yampa Valley for more than a century. Weekly rodeos began in Steamboat in the 1970s with the "Friday Night Jackpot." Financial problems in the early '80s threatened the weekly rodeo, before local condominium manager Steve Dawes stepped forward with capital and business expertise to save the tradition. The rodeo eventually grew to two shows a weekend, and in 1989 the entire series became sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

"Not only is it a valuable amenity for our guests, it really is part of Steamboat's culture and heritage," Strong said. "Ranching has been a way of life here for well over 100 years, and rodeos have always been a part of that. I think it's a huge part of our culture and heritage and something we need to do everything we can to protect and celebrate."

The rodeo again will look to residents to weather its latest financial storm. The season pass offered to residents costs just $35 and is good for admittance to 18 of the rodeo's 20 performances. Individual tickets cost $15 for adults.

"It's a largely discounted ticket," Van Scoyk said. "That's our main thing this year - to try and get the attendance back on up."

The season pass price increases to $50 once the series begins. It is not valid on Fourth of July weekend.

"Attendance has been very steady, but we'd like to see it increase as opposed to being steady," Strong said. "We consistently fill the covered grandstands. We consistently don't fill the concrete bleachers except on Fourth of July weekends."

The season pass will be restricted to the concrete bleachers on the south side of Romick Arena at Howelsen Hill.