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PVA 2002 Candidate Information
~ Colorado Governor ~

This page contains candidate information about the candidates for Colorado Governor.

Highlights from this race: Notes:
Candidate questionnaire scores

1a. Did you grow up with animals? Yes/No
1b. If so, what kind?

Governor Rollie Heath (D) Yes - cats
Governor Ronald Forthofer, Ph.D. (G) No
Governor Ralph Shnelvar (L) Did not respond
Governor Bill Owens (R) Did not respond


2a. Does your family have animals? Yes/No
2b. If so, what kind?


Governor Rollie Heath (D) No
Governor Ronald Forthofer, Ph.D. (G) No
Governor Ralph Shnelvar (L) Did not respond
Governor Bill Owens (R) Did not respond


3. Are you in favor of the spaying/neutering of dogs and cats to reduce overpopulation? Yes/No/Undecided

Governor Rollie Heath (D) Yes
Governor Ronald Forthofer, Ph.D. (G) Yes
Governor Ralph Shnelvar (L) Did not respond
Governor Bill Owens (R) Did not respond


4. Would you be likely to support state legislation to require that animals raised for slaughter be protected from inhumane forms of slaughter, housing, and transportation? Yes/No/Undecided

Governor Rollie Heath (D) Yes
Governor Ronald Forthofer, Ph.D. (G) Yes
Governor Ralph Shnelvar (L) Did not respond
Governor Bill Owens (R) Did not respond


5. Would you be likely to support state legislation to require that educational institutions at all levels provide (and advertise to students) an alternative to animal dissection? Yes/No/Undecided

Governor Rollie Heath (D) Yes
Governor Ronald Forthofer, Ph.D. (G) Yes
Governor Ralph Shnelvar (L) Did not respond
Governor Bill Owens (R) Did not respond


6. Do you believe that aggravated cruelty/violence to animals should be a felony? (Choose Y, N, U, or C.)
(Y) yes; (N) no; (U) undecided; (C) yes, in certain cases (e.g., extreme cases only, or after the first offense)


Governor Rollie Heath (D) (C)
Governor Ronald Forthofer, Ph.D. (G) (U)
Governor Ralph Shnelvar (L) Did not respond
Governor Bill Owens (R) Did not respond


7. Would you be likely to support state legislation prohibiting the use of elephants in traveling acts, such as circuses? Yes/No/Undecided

Governor Rollie Heath (D) Undecided
Governor Ronald Forthofer, Ph.D. (G) Yes
Governor Ralph Shnelvar (L) Did not respond
Governor Bill Owens (R) Did not respond


8. Of the two following value statements, to which are you likely to give higher priority?
(a) Wildlife and their environment are to be protected and preserved.
(b) Wildlife and their environment are to be managed.


Governor Rollie Heath (D) (a)
Governor Ronald Forthofer, Ph.D. (G) (a)
Governor Ralph Shnelvar (L) Did not respond
Governor Bill Owens (R) Did not respond


9. Section 33-1-101 (1), Colorado Revised Statutes, states, "It is the policy of the state of Colorado that the wildlife and their environment are to be protected, preserved, enhanced, and managed for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the people of this state and its visitors."
Do you believe that all Colorado residents should have a voice in wildlife policy? Yes/No/Undecided


Governor Rollie Heath (D) Yes
Governor Ronald Forthofer, Ph.D. (G) Yes
Governor Ralph Shnelvar (L) Did not respond
Governor Bill Owens (R) Did not respond


10. Do you believe that there are forms of hunting that are unethical and that wildlife should be protected from them? Yes/No/Undecided

Governor Rollie Heath (D) No
Governor Ronald Forthofer, Ph.D. (G) Yes
Governor Ralph Shnelvar (L) Did not respond
Governor Bill Owens (R) Did not respond


11. Do you believe that Amendment 14, the anti-trapping initiative passed by Colorado voters in 1996, should be overturned or weakened in any way? Yes/No/Undecided

Governor Rollie Heath (D) Undecided
Governor Ronald Forthofer, Ph.D. (G) No
Governor Ralph Shnelvar (L) Did not respond
Governor Bill Owens (R) Did not respond


12. Would you be likely to support state legislation to (1) require counties to allow county-level ballot initiatives and (2) establish consistent procedures and criteria for such initiatives? Yes/No/Undecided

Governor Rollie Heath (D) Undecided
Governor Ronald Forthofer, Ph.D. (G) Yes
Governor Ralph Shnelvar (L) Did not respond
Governor Bill Owens (R) Did not respond


13. Do you think that initiating a state ballot issue should be (a) easier; (b) harder; or (c) as it is now?

Governor Rollie Heath (D) (b)
Governor Ronald Forthofer, Ph.D. (G) (a)
Governor Ralph Shnelvar (L) Did not respond
Governor Bill Owens (R) Did not respond


14. Would you be willing to consider factual documentation from PVA on a given issue? Yes/No/Undecided

Governor Rollie Heath (D) Yes
Governor Ronald Forthofer, Ph.D. (G) Yes
Governor Ralph Shnelvar (L) Did not respond
Governor Bill Owens (R) Did not respond


Please add any other comments ...

Governor Rollie Heath (D) None given
Governor Ronald Forthofer, Ph.D. (G) None given
Governor Ralph Shnelvar (L) Did not respond
Governor Bill Owens (R) Did not respond



Candidate questionnaire scores
Governor Rollie Heath (D) Overall Questionnaire Response Score = 46%
Governor Ronald Forthofer, Ph.D. (G) Overall Questionnaire Response Score = 92%
Governor Ralph Shnelvar (L) Did not respond
Governor Bill Owens (R) Did not respond


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