Democrat John Hickenlooper pulled ahead of Republican Scott McInnis of Grand Junction for the first time since he entered the gubernatorial contest in February, according to a poll released Friday.

The Rasmussen Reports survey showed Hickenlooper with 45 percent of voter support, while McInnis picked up 43 percent. A total 7 percent expressed support for a different candidate, while 5 percent indicated they were of undecided status.

The poll has margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. A total of 750 likely voters were surveyed July 15.

The poll represents a 7-percentage point switch in the last month for McInnis, whose campaign was rocked earlier this week by a plagiarism charge. The allegation surfaced in a Denver Post story, which delved into water articiles penned by McInnis in 2005 and 2006.

The writings, which were submitted to the Hasan Family Foundation, were “similar to or copied directly from a 1984 essay by now-Colorado Supreme Court Justice Gregory Hobbs,” according to the Denver Post.

McInnis was paid $300,000 for a fellowship for which he agreed to pen the water articles. The foundation has since asked for the money to be returned, something McInnis said Friday that he would do.

"I have said since this matter was brought to my attention that the articles provided as part of the Hasan Family Foundation fellowship were faulty. I explained how this problem arose, and I accepted responsibility,” McInnis said in a statement.

"I apologized to the Hasans for this mistake, and I expressed my determination to make it right with my dear friends. I will be in contact with the Hasan family to make full payment arrangements.

"I agree with the Foundation that this brings this matter to a close, and I look forward to continuing to speak on the campaign trail about the critical issues facing all of Colorado, including jobs and economic recovery."

The Denver Post contributed to this story.