Melissa Loucks didn’t pay much attention to politics for most of this decade, focusing instead on her family and work.But new state taxes, including one on software downloads, and other issues, drew Loucks back in.She started researching Colorado’s gubernatorial candidates several weeks ago, and on Saturday, Loucks co-hosted one of Scott McInnis’ four stops in El Paso County, where he courted delegates to the Republican state assembly this month.“My husband and I decided we want to get involved,” said Loucks, who runs Digi-Learn, an online continuing legal education website. “It’s time for some Republican leadership in Colorado.”“I liked what I saw in his voting record,” Loucks said, referring to McInnis, “and he seems the most electable.”McInnis faces an August primary fight with Evergreen businessman Dan Maes, who also is wooing local Republican delegates. Maes made a 1 p.m. Saturday stop at the local GOP headquarters. The Republican primary winner will face Democrat Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.McInnis on Saturday touted his political experience and conservative credentials. He told the 40 or so people who gathered at an east-side Colorado Springs fire station that he would “veto any attempt to dilute TABOR,” the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights written by Colorado Springs anti-tax activist Douglas Bruce. McInnis also said he would reverse new regulations on oil and gas drilling in Colorado.In a straw poll conducted during precinct caucuses in March, McInnis picked up 60 percent of votes and Maes tallied a surprisingly strong 40 percent.McInnis said that “99.9 percent” of his focus is on campaigning against Hickenlooper. “But I don’t take anything for granted,” he said when asked about Maes.Maes attributes his strength to tea party conservatives who like his budget-slashing message.But he trails McInnis significantly in fundraising. Maes entered the year with $5.48 in his campaign account, compared with $490,000 for McInnis, the most recent figures available.“I don’t believe that, short of a miracle, we’ll have the money of a Scott McInnis over the next couple of months,” Maes said. “But we have the hearts and minds of the people.”Maes said that in recent days he has called 600 delegates from the county. Under GOP rules, candidates who pick up more than 30 percent of the party’s state assembly’s delegates earn a primary ballot spot.“We’re pretty confident we’ll hit our 30 percent,” Maes said.

Scott McInnis, a Republican running for governor, spoke to about two dozen people Saturday during a campaign stop at Gold Hill Mesa Community Center. Photo by Kevin Kreck, The Gazette