WINDSOR, Colo. -- At a time when Republicans across the nation appear to have the wind at their backs in gubernatorial races, the same cannot be said for Colorado.

Both Republican candidates, Scott McInnis and Dan Maes, are plagued by controversy.

McInnis for plagiarism allegations and Maes for campaign finance violations.

And now, former Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo, who ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, has said he will jump into the race as early as Monday if poll results show the Republican candidates can't win come November.

Some strategists have said it might be too late to resurrect the Republican party's good fortune.

"Scott McInnis started with a major problem and turned it into a major major problem," said Colorado State political science professor John Straayer. "I think right now the beneficiary is clearly (John) Hickenlooper."

Hickenlooper is the Democratic candidate for governor.

Straayer, who is a registered Republican, believes it will be nearly impossible for McInnis to recover at this point.

"He went on television, on Channel 7, and said, 'Well the voters don't care about that, they care about jobs.' Yes they care about jobs, but they also care about the plagiarism issue," said Straayer.

Former Republican candidate for governor Chuck Sylvester said Tancredo will turn people off.

"I think it's a bad move. I kind of agree with some of his philosophy, but I think he's kind of a lightning rod," said Sylvester. "I think Tancredo will just spoil the apple cart."

"I think Dick Wadhams (chair of the Colorado Republican Party) is both right and wrong when he says Tancredo jumping in is going to elect Hickenlooper. I think the damage that's been done on the Republican side may have done that anyway," said Straayer. "If you have two nails in the coffin, now you have the third."

As for whether McInnis might step aside after the primary, Sylvester said there are better candidates.

"Our retired chief of the Colorado State Patrol, Mark Trostel for one," said Sylvester.

But Straayer said picking up the mantle at this point is a lost cause and could anger undecided, anti-establishment voters.

"We went through a legitimate primary, according to law, and now the 'heavies' come in and they want to sort of force a choice on us?" said Straayer. "The odds are, it's going to be a losing proposition and who wants to jump in at this juncture."

As for whether this controversy will have down-ticket implications in the senate race, Straayer said that is still unclear.

"This kind of thing takes its toll on volunteers. It takes its toll on contributions. And it is an enthusiasm killer for a political party," said Straayer.

And late Sunday, several conservative groups sent an open letter to Tancredo which reads in part, "...together our groups strongly urge you to reconsider and withdraw your ultimatum."

Tancredo has given McInnis and Maes until noon Monday to promise to drop out of the race, if they are trailing Democrat Hickenlooper.

"I would be at a loss to conjure up a scenario which would resurrect the Republicans fortunes," said Straayer.