DENVER -- Former Colorado Gov. Bill Owens denies making veiled threats to get a University of Colorado professor fired after the professor compared some Sept. 11 victims to a Nazi.

Owens testified Wednesday in a lawsuit filed by former professor Ward Churchill, who was fired on allegations of plagiarism and other research misconduct after his Sept. 11 comments caused a furor.

Churchill is suing to get his job back.

Owens denies telling the university president he would "unleash my plan" if Churchill wasn't fired over the essay.

Owens also defends remarks he made on "The O'Reilly Factor" in March 2005. Owens said that when he said he had budget authority, he was only stating a fact, not threatening to cut the university's budget.

After his testimony, Owens told 7NEWS he does not regret any of his comments. He said he was speaking for the people of Colorado.

Earlier in the day Provost Phil DiStefano testified that many parents contacted him saying they would pull their children from the school if Churchill was not filed.

He also said faculty was adamant that Churchill's right to free speech be protected.

Former CU President Hank Brown is scheduled to testify Thursday.