The Hill provides a birds-eye Beltway view of the Republican primary challenge shaping up to take out the indecisive and vulnerable Michael Bennet, Colorado’s newly selected junior U.S. Senator.

Writes Aaron Blake:

Republicans lately have been talking a lot about fresh faces, with mixed success in actually obtaining them. While the GOP has lined up current and former House members in most other open primaries, Colorado stands out as the one where they may be content to go with a wholly new brand.

That change would be particularly stark with [Ryan] Frazier, a 31-year-old African-American city councilman who has opened an exploratory committee for the race and appears set to run.

But it’s also apparent with [Ken] Buck, a conservative district attorney who switched his focus to the Senate race when Attorney General John Suthers surprised many by opting not to run. Buck had been preparing to run for Suthers’s current post.

The Hill story goes on to point out that the next few months could be very critical as both Ken Buck and Ryan Frazier seek to establish themselves with credible fundraising numbers. Meanwhile, Bob Beauprez takes a wait-and-see approach.

Inquiring minds wonder exactly what threshold Beauprez is looking at to make his decision. But my guess is that both Buck and Frazier would have to underwhelm with their campaign contribution numbers by the end of the calendar year in order for the former Congressman to jump in. Just my guess ….

Dan Caplis and Cleve Tidwell don’t even show up on this Beltway radar.