Good morning! Today is Oct. 24, exactly one week before Halloween. But an even bigger day looms a short time afterwards as we get set for the Nov. 4 Election Day. That could be pretty scary for some of our readers who are following the polls, but the results are liable to change from now until then depending on The Ground Game of the campaigns. Those seem to be the code words everyone is muttering under their breath, as if the much-ballyhooed get-out-the-vote drives are the campaigns’ secret ammunition. We’ll see.

Colorado Dems have been bringing in Big Bold Names all week to campaign for U.S. Sen. Mark Udall, Gov. Hickenlooper and assorted congressional candidates — but first comes news that Republicans will be hosting a biggie themselves next Wednesday, Oct. 29 when former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (aka Treasurer Walker Stapleton’s cuz) hits town for a rally in Douglas County from 5-7 p.m. That should attract excited Republicans who want to catch a glimpse of the potential 2016 candidate for prez.

But earlier that day, Bush as well as Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus will attend a private breakfast right here in Denver for U.S. Senate nominee Rep. Cory Gardner. The early morning fundraiser is being hosted by Bev and John Howland, Sarah and Christopher Hunt, Judy and Charlie McNeill, Larry Mizel, Linda McCausland and Peter Nicklin, Kathy and Bob Nicolls, Heather and Ray Washburne, and William P. Witter. Of course by the time you read this there may be more, as the host committee is still in formation. For a $10,000 donation to the Gardner Majority Fund (a joint fundraising committee composed of Cory Gardner for Senate and the Republican National Committee) you can attend the 8 a.m. VIP reception and get your photo snapped with the Republican royalty; for $5,000 you can hobnob with other co-hosts at the VIP reception; $1,000 gets you listed as a breakfast sponsor; and if you merely want to scruff down fancy eggs and coffee, it’ll cost you only $500. (By the way, from the disclaimer on the invite we learned that the maximum amount an individual or a non-multicandidate federal political committee may contribute to the Gardner Majority Fund is $35,000. The maximum amount a multi-candidate political committee may contribute is $20,000. Expensive eggs!)

So far most of the GOTV events this week have centered on Democrats in Colorado. Hillary Clinton was in Aurora on Tuesday to rally voters for Udall and Hick, as well as CD 6’s Andrew Romanoff. Yesterday, First Lady Michelle Obama was in Denver for a big event for Udall, et al. And today and tomorrow, the Udall campaign continues on with its #MarkYourBallot Bus Tour with stops in Broomfield, Denver, Thornton, Aurora and Greeley. On Saturday, fellow Sen. Michael Bennet joins the caravan. The entire grassroots tour, launched last week, will stop in 24 communities across Colorado, covering roughly 2,000 miles before Election Day.

Watch for full coverage of the events in our Oct. 24 issue, and also get prepared for the onslaught of GOP events that are scheduled beginning tomorrow.

On Saturday Rep. Cory Gardner and Guv hopeful Bob Beauprez embark on a set of multi-city victory rallies beginning at 9:30 a.m. in Douglas County and moving north to Littleton, Lakewood and Thornton. Next Tuesday, Gardner continues on his pre-election victory tour with stops in Greeley, Ft. Collins and Boulder, with an appearance with U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn. in Aurora on Wednesday.

While most of the attention is being paid to the U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races, there are also contests for other seats around the state, i.e. the race in CD 3 with incumbent U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton and his Democratic challenger Abel Tapia. It’s not always easy for us to traipse across the mountains to provide firsthand coverage, but the incumbent Republican is making it a little more convenient with his appearance today at a luncheon at a Cherry Creek Italian bistro. Hosts Chad Asarch and Michael Sheldon along with co-hosts Larry Mizel, Tashof Bernton and Tom Kornfeld are feting Tipton for his support of the US-Israel relationship.

And in CD 6, dubbed the most competitive congressional race in the country, incumbent Rep. Mike Coffman and Democratic challenger Andrew Romanoff continue their oh-so-spirited battle. Interestingly comes word this week that Republican Coffman has just secured the support of American Unity PAC, a Super PAC dedicated to protecting and promoting Republican candidates for Congress who support freedom for LGBT Americans. The group has made a significant $300,000 investment on behalf of Coffman which includes a television ad and five pieces of mail that highlight his focus on representing all Coloradans, regardless of who they are, and standing up for women in Congress. Coffman is one of the leading House Republicans who has stood up in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, legislation that would protect LGBT Americans from discrimination in the workforce and AUPAC states that it is proud to reward Coffman with its support.

Check in with us in the coming days as we continue our T-Minus countdown to Election Day. And before day’s end, wish public affairs consultant Carolyn Siegel a Happy Birthday!

— Jody@coloradostatesman.com