Is the colon needed?

Not absolutely necessary but it's a very common and proper use. The colon should be placed directly following the "are".

Thanks.

I don't think the semicolons are needed between the questions.

There is no internal punctuation with each question which would need anything other than a comma.

For example:

The family members are: John Smith, president of the club since 1999; Joan Smith and her husband, Peter Smith; and Joan Smith, grandmother.

Family members are: John Smith, Joan Smith, and Peter Smith.

Thanks, Punkey.

I think it would be rather difficult to poop without one.

What does that mean?

Wordplay: Maxdancona is in a facetious mood, and it's contagious.

The colon is the lower part of the alimentary canal or digestive tract. A semicolon might do in a pinch, though it's difficult to pinch either a semicolon or a colon.