Governor-elect Obama Democrat John Hickenlooper leads Republican Dan Maes 43% to 31% while American Constitution Party candidate, Tom Tancredo, comes in third with 18% in the latest Rasmussen poll of 750 likely voters in Colorado.

Rasmussen Reports now ranks Colorado “solid Democrat” for governor. Impact graph:

Just 59% of Republican voters in the state now support Maes, while Hickenlooper picks up 82% of voters in his own party. Tancredo, an outspoken opponent of illegal immigration, captures 25% of GOP voters. Among voters not affiliated with either party, Hickenlooper earns 35% of the vote, Maes 28% and Tancredo 24%.

Look for that 59% of Republican voters who are supporting Maes to shrink dramatically. Hickenlooper probably will gain among unaffiliateds while Tancredo will gain more support from Republicans as voters learn more about Maes’ fumbles and stumbles during his campaign and when he was in business. Tancredo should gain support as voters learn more about what he wants to do for Colorado. LINK: www.rasmussenreports.com.