Editors note: This is the Cortez Journals weekly roundup of campaign news.
The cavalry has arrived in the 3rd Congressional District.
After slugging it out alone all year, U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, is getting serious help to fend off a challenge by Democrat Sal Pace.
Americans for Tax Reform will spend $1.3 million on television ads on Tiptons behalf between now and Election Day, according to Pace.
Tipton has signed Americans for Tax Reforms pledge to never vote to raise taxes.
Also, Washingtons top Republican, Speaker of the House John Boehner, will headline a fundraiser for Tipton in Durango on Oct. 23. Tickets to the private event cost $250 to $2,500.
Poll position: Republican Mitt Romney has taken the lead over President Barack Obama in an average of all Colorado polls by Real Clear Politics. Three of the five polls conducted since the Oct. 3 debate in Denver show Romney with a lead ranging from 1 to 4 percentage points. Two polls put Obama up by the same margins.
This is the first time in the campaign that Romney has taken the lead in the weekly average of Colorado polls, and it makes Colorado one of the three tightest battleground states.
Hick for Obama: Gov. John Hickenlooper headlined a tour of Obama supporters around the Denver area Monday. The governor was initially cool to getting involved in the presidential campaign, but he became a full-throated supporter of Obama late in the summer.
Countdown: 24 days until Election Day. Two days until mail voting begins.
joeh@cortezjournal.com