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EL PASO COUNTY, COLO. -- Final preparations are underway for Colorado's caucus.

Colorado is one of only a few states that have a true caucus.

In order to participate, you had to have registered as a Republican by the December 2011 deadline.

Tuesday night, starting at 7, voters will gather at their designated precinct where they will participate in a straw poll.

In other words, Republicans will debate about the candidates, and then write down their pick on a ballot.

"What that is is simply a snapshot of what Colorado Republican voters are thinking right now," Jennifer Daines, El Paso County GOP secretary said.

Daines said unlike Iowa, Colorado's caucus is not binding.

She said that means the state's delegates will not be allocated based on the results.

"The other piece, besides that snapshot or presidential straw poll, is we will have the opportunity at caucus to elect delegates to our county and state assemblies," Daines said. "This is where we have the opportunity to more directly impact who our presidential nominee will be."

Daines said at the state assembly in Denver, the national delegates are then selected to attend the Republican Convention.

As for southern Colorado's importance in the election?

Daines said it is huge.

"We have said for several months the road to the White House goes through El Paso County," Daines said. "In order for us to flip red and give our nine electoral votes to the nominee, we have to have a good showing here in Colorado Springs."

"Particularly in the last decade Colorado has become a swing state, and it is considered more significant if a candidate for president in a primary or presidential caucus can win a swing state," Former Political Science Professor Bob Loevy said.

Loevy said that suggests the candidate will do well in the general election come November.

And even though it may seem like the race is wrapping up, Loevy said it is still anyone's game.

"It is all about building momentum, every win builds a candidates momentum and every loss hurts badly," Loevy said.

If you still do not know where your caucus precinct is, click here for help.