DENVER, Colorado -- If Republicans are going to take back the Senate, they're going to need to win the important state of Colorado. Can the Grand Old Party's Ken Buck upset sitting Sen. Michael Bennet, (D)?

It's hard to find anyone to dispute Colorado's beauty, but it doesn't take long to find an argument over who should be its next senator.

"Coloradans are tired of the spending. They're tired of the deficit. They're tired of the national debt and Michael Bennet's been a part of that," said Frank McNulty, a Colorado resident.

With the race in Colorado being a virtual toss-up, the only thing clean and pure is the Rocky Mountain air, because the television airwaves are downright polluted with negative campaign ads.

It's typical of a tight race in the politically divided state. For a better understanding, a third of the voters are registered blue Democrats, a third registered red Republicans and a third are purple independents. Neither side can seem to figure the state out. It went Republican when George Bush and Bob Dole ran for president. Yet, voters also supported Democrats like Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

Both campaigns are talking straight to the people.

As for the candidates, CBN News interviewed both candidates to discuss their issues with one another.

"He offered a whole bunch of positions over the course of this campaign that really are out of step with what I think mainstream Colorado believes," Bennet said of Buck.

Buck believes Bennet's support of the unpopular stimulus and healthcare bills won't play well with Coloradans.

"His voting record is just replete with examples of places where I would shake my head and say you've got to be kidding me," Buck said.

"He is truly a rubber stamp for President Obama's agenda," Buck added.

Buck and Bennet's race in Colorado is a true test of how President Barack Obama's agenda may play out in the Rockies.