Poll: Rep. Gardner’s Lead Widens in Colorado Senate Race

Inset photos: (t) US Congress / (b) US Senate(WASHINGTON) — A new Quinnipiac University poll out Thursday morning is bad news for Colorado Sen. Mark Udall in one of the most closely watched races this cycle.

The poll shows Udall’s Republican challenger, Rep. Cory Gardner, leading the Democrat by seven points — 46 to 39 percent — in Colorado’s Senate race. Seven percent are for Independent candidate Steve Shogan, while another 7 percent are still undecided.

This gap between Udall and Gardner is slightly wider than last week’s poll, which showed Gardner leading by five points.

There is also a significant gender gap in this race, but it benefits Gardner more. He is leading among men 51 to 38 percent, while women back Udall 45 to 39 percent.

Only 10 percent of likely voters in Colorado could still change their mind, according to the poll. That’s enough to make up the difference, but with only five days before Election Day, there’s not much time to convince them.