For the second Rasmussen Reports survey in a row, Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter (D) enjoys a five-point margin over Representative Bob Beauprez (R) in the Colorado race for Governor. Ritter leads Beauprez 42% to 37%. Five percent (5%) say they’d vote for some other candidate and 16% are still undecided (see Crosstabs).

Ritter is viewed favorably by 53%, Beauprez by 43%. Both figures are down two points from our previous survey. Opinions are far from solidified however. Just 14% have a Very Favorable opinion of Ritter while 8% have a Very Unfavorable opinion. For Beauprez, the numbers are 13% Very Favorable and 16% Very Unfavorable.

The survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on Monday, July 10. That night, Republican Governor Bill Owens reached an agreement with Democrats in the state legislature on immigration reform. The agreement angered some GOP legislators who wanted the issue placed on the ballot for voters to decide this November. An earlier survey found that Colorado voters were evenly divided as to whether they trusted Republicans or Democrats more on the issue of immigration.

Another survey found that 73% of Colorado voters believe that existing immigration laws should be enforced first before additional reforms are considered. Still, 53% believe our overall immigration policy should welcome all except criminals, national security threats, and welfare seekers.

Beauprez finally become the GOP nominee following a Colorado Supreme Court decision on June 22. He was initially anointed as the preferred candidate of the GOP Assembly in May. However, GOP challenger Mark Holtzman refused to fade away quietly and petitioned to remain on the ballot for the August 8 primary.

The next step in the drama came in the form of a Secretary of State’s ruling that Holtzman did not have enough valid signatures to stay on the ballot. Holtzman challenged that ruling in Court. Finally, on June 22, the Colorado Supreme Court ended the Holtzman that he had not collected enough signatures to do so.

Colorado voters resemble voters in other states we've polled in tending to prefer a generic Democrat to a generic Republican as our next President. Forty-one percent (41%) say they want a Democrat, 35% say Republican, 20% say Other.

In line with the same trend, though, Coloradoans also like the particular Republicans we asked about more than the particular Republicans. That's shown first of all when voters consider possible match-ups among Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, Rudy Giuliani and John McCain. Details are available to Premium Members.

It's also shown in the favorable numbers for these prospective candidates. McCain, faring best, is viewed favorably by 64%, Giuliani by 61%, Gore by 45%, Clinton by 41%. The Democrats are viewed much more unfavorably; and a much higher proportion of those unfavorable numbers go to the "very" unfavorable column.

Crosstabs are available to Premium Members. For the latest State Election results and issues of the day see our Elections Page and Politics Page.