Owens hints he will seek 2nd term/ Governor plans campaign swing

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Feb 7, 2002 by Kyle Henley

DENVER - Gov. Bill Owens told the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce Wednesday that he plans the type of announcement that requires a whistle-stop tour of the state on Feb. 18.

Owens hinted he will be in Colorado Springs that day as part of a campaign swing to declare he will seek a second term.

"I'm going to do an announcement. ... I'm going to do it on the 18th," Owens said. "Can you imagine making 19 stops to say you are not running for governor?"

Owens was goaded into the response by El Paso County Sheriff John Anderson.

"It would be nice if we could plan to be there," Anderson told the governor in front of more than 100 Colorado Springs business people who were at the Capitol for an event sponsored by the Springs chamber.

It is considered a foregone conclusion that Owens will seek re- election. He's already raised more than $4.2 million and has said he is leaning toward running again.

This is the first time he has gone public with the date and details about the announcement and campaign trip.

The trip will start in Pueblo, hit Colorado Springs and head to the Denver area. Owens said he will finish the day in Grand Junction.

Campaign spokeswoman Cinnamon Watson said Owens will appear Feb. 18 at the Garden of the Gods Club, 3320 Mesa Road, but the time has not been set.

Owens faces several potential challengers.

Senate President Stan Matsunaka, D-Loveland, has announced he will seek the Democratic nomination. Matsunaka will face Boulder businessman Rollie Heath.

Sen. Bob Hagedorn, D-Aurora, dropped out of the race Wednesday and said he plans to run for Congress in Colorado's new 7th District.