Three questions for Katie Groke Ellis and Joe Riccobono

* Today's 36th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision falls during a historic week when a pro-choice president took office.

How will the change in administration affect the contentious abortion debate? The Rocky asked a supporter on each side for their views. Katie Groke Ellis is spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of the Rockies. Joe Riccobono is president of Colorado Right to Life. Their remarks are edited for space and content.

1. What changes in abortion policy do you anticipate under the Barack Obama administration?

Groke Ellis: We expect tomorrow (Thursday) he will overturn the "global gag rule" (the ban on U.S.-funded abortion programs overseas). We also hope he will reinstate the act to fund comprehensive sex education and stop funding programs that only teach abstinence. We hope he supports the Freedom of Choice Act (which would sweep away all state restrictions on abortion) but we have been told the economy and defense issues are his No. 1 priority.

Riccobono: Obama promised to support the Freedom of Choice Act. In one sense, we believe its passage would be a good thing because it would unite the pro-life movement and force us to focus on the personhood and the right to life of the unborn. These children are every much a person as you or I. It would get our eyes off what pro-lifers have been doing for much of the last 40 years - focusing on passing laws to regulate the child-killing industry. . . I'm talking about laws that say things like, 'You must wait 24 hours, then you can kill your baby.'

2. What do you think the chances are of seeing Roe vs. Wade overturned?

Groke Ellis: Hopefully, if there's a Supreme Court vacancy President Obama will choose a justice who will uphold the decision. Overwhelmingly, I think Americans recognize it's the law of the land and they would like to see Roe stay in place so that women have the right to choose whether or not to have children.

Riccobono: We're not pinning our hopes that the Supreme Court has the wisdom or wherewithal to overthrow Roe vs. Wade. They never overthrew the Dred Scott decision that entrenched slavery. Only when each state recognizes the personhood of the unborn - our goal when we introduced Amendment 48 in Colorado last year - will abortion ultimately end.

3. President Obama talks about bringing the country together. In the case of abortion, would your side be willing to make any compromises to make that happen?

Groke Ellis: Definitely, we want to see pregnancy prevention being part of the conversation. The conversation has turned from always talking about abortion, to talking about how to prevent (pregnancies). We think definitely that's somewhere we can meet in the middle.

Riccobono: No. There is no compromise on the God-given right to life. It wasn't given to us by any political group, and no political group can take it away. Every human being has the inalienable right to life.

To Mark Roe vs. Wade

* Colorado Right to Life: Rally at noon today, west steps of the Capitol, followed by a march down the 16th Street Mall; reception at Pillar of Fire Church, 1340 Sherman St.

* Planned Parenthood of the Rockies: 5:30 p.m. Friday, 7155 E. 38th Ave. Guest speaker is Sarah Weddington, the attorney who argued Roe's winning side.