Democrats say their ground operation, including a get-out-the-vote effort, will push Udall over the edge to victory. Their $60 million “Bannock Street Project,” aimed at turning out the vote in states with competitive Senate races, takes its name from the address of Bennet’s Denver campaign headquarters. Democrats spent $2.5 million on ground efforts in Colorado four years ago, and they are spending more than that amount this year, according to campaign officials. The contraception issue, they say, cuts across gender and party lines. Democrats insist they have an even better argument against Gardner than they did against Buck because the former is a congressman who has had the opportunity to vote on issues. 

Early voting is already underway in the state. And for the first time, Colorado is allowing voting by mail, which Democrats say will increase turnout.

Republicans are confident in their operation too, and believe a variety of issues, including the president’s job performance, will motivate voters. (The PPP survey actually found Udall’s approval to be lower than Obama’s.)  Though Obama won Colorado twice, he now threatens to drag Udall down. The senator backed out of a fundraiser with the president in Colorado over the summer, which underscored just how politically dangerous appearing with him can be.