DENVER, Colo. — Nobody expects Republican Rep. Cory Gardner to win the Hispanic vote in the Colorado Senate race against incumbent Democrat Mark Udall. Yes, there was a Denver Post poll that showed Gardner ahead among Latinos, but it has been widely dismissed, including within the Gardner camp. But Republicans have done so badly with Hispanic voters in recent years that if Gardner could simply do better — not win, just do better — overall victory could be within reach. Gardner appears poised to do just that.

But Gardner still has to deal with Democrats who would make support for the Senate Gang of Eight comprehensive immigration reform bill the price of admission in any contest for Hispanic voters. Gardner’s challenge was on full display at a recent forum he and Udall attended, sponsored by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Denver.