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Luis Valenzuela, left, Carla Castedo, center, and Ricardo Martinez, right, prepare for an evening of canvassing in heavily-Latino neighborhoods on Wednesday, Oct. 15. These workers will provide information to voters about their polling places and voting deadlines in an effort in increase voter turnout. Photo by Katie A. Kuntz/Rocky Mountain PBS I-News

Editors Note: Nearly 25 million Latinos are eligible to vote in the upcoming midterm elections, making them an increasingly courted voter bloc for both Democrats and Republicans. According to the Pew Research Center, Latinos could have an especially strong impact on races in Colorado. But even in the most contentious races there, candidates are largely staying silent on immigration reform, a motivating political issue to many Latinos, says Katie Kuntz of Rocky Mountain PBS I-News

Latinos account for about 20 percent of Colorados population and about 14 percent of its voters. The group presents a major player in the states most contentious elections.

But while Republicans and Democrats alike are working hard to attract these voters, neither party is pushing the issue that is highly important to many of them: immigration reform.

Do you hear anyone talking about immigration reform anymore? asked Floyd Ciruli, Denver pollster and political analyst. They are targeting things talking directly to Hispanic voters, but there is too much downside on both sides to bring it into the general conversation.

For Republicans, reaching out to Latino voters has become more prominent in Colorado than before. Unlike election years past, theres not a lot of railing for or against immigration reform, much less talk of stronger deportation policies.

I wouldnt say immigration is taking a back seat, but you cant paint the picture that its the only issue for the Hispanic community, said Ali Prado, the Hispanic press secretary for the Republican National Party. Its an important issue, but the number one issue is the economy, and then education.

But Latino voters and advocates question that stance.

I think there is maybe a disconnect because, yes, the economy and education are big issues, but immigration is something we talk to voters about every single day, said Carla Castedo, Colorado director of Mi Familia Vota, a national, non-partisan get-out-the-vote organization. Most Latino voters are impacted personally by immigration, whether they personally are immigrants or its a family member or a friend.

Leo Murrieta, the national field director for Mi Familia Vota, visits the organizations Denver office on Oct. 15, 2014to help prepare and encourage those canvassing door-to-door. The non-partisan Mi Familia Vota is hoping to increase turnout among Latino voters this election. Photo by Katie A. Kuntz/Rocky Mountain PBS I-News

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Both parties duck immigration reform in attempts to attract Colorados Latino voters