Las Vegas -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Barack Obama traveled to Las Vegas on Monday to launch a Western trip that mixes campaigning with presidential business -- and an appearance on `` The Tonight Show . '' After a campaign event at The Bellagio hotel and casino Monday afternoon , Obama met with homeowners at a private residence to announce new efforts to help homeowners with refinancing . The government 's Home Affordable Refinance Program will be changed to make it easier for homeowners to capitalize on current low interest rates by refinancing old , high-interest mortgages . The new rules will allow homeowners who owe more than 125 % of the market value of their homes to get the new loans . `` So let me just give you an example . If you 've got a $ 250,000 mortgage at 6 percent interest rates , but the value of your home has fallen below $ 200,000 , right now you ca n't refinance . You 're ineligible , '' Obama said , according to a copy of his remarks released by the White House . `` But that 's going to change . If you meet certain requirements , you will have the chance to refinance at lower rates , which could save you hundreds of dollars a month , and thousands of dollars a year on mortgage payments . '' In addition , Obama told the gathering , `` there are going to be lower closing costs , and certain refinancing fees will be eliminated -- fees that can sometimes cancel out the benefits of refinancing altogether . '' The changes also will allow consumers to shop around for better rates beyond their original lenders , he said . Learn why the program probably wo n't help the real estate market The president then traveled to Los Angeles , where he was expected to deliver remarks at two more campaign events . On Tuesday , Obama will tape an appearance on `` The Tonight Show with Jay Leno , '' according to the White House . The last time the president appeared on the show , in March 2009 , he caused controversy by attempting to poke fun at his poor bowling skills -- evident during a 2008 campaign stop . He told Leno he bowled 129 in the White House bowling alley and said his bowling skills were `` like Special Olympics or something . '' Before the show aired , the president called Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver to apologize , White House officials said , and stress his intention was not to humiliate the disabled . Shriver called Obama 's apology `` sincere and heartfelt , '' but noted in a written response , `` This is a teachable moment for our country . '' After the `` Tonight Show '' taping , Obama will travel to San Francisco for a fundraiser , according to the White House . On Tuesday night , he will be in Denver to push his jobs agenda . Other private fundraisers will also be sprinkled in , officials said . A Democratic official estimates the campaign will haul in more than $ 4 million from six fundraisers in three states . It 's the second time in less than a month that Obama has headed west to push for jobs and raise campaign cash . A senior campaign official noted the importance of spending time in the region , saying the `` campaign has already established an extensive operation in Western states . '' And they expect to make `` heavy investments there . '' The official singled out Colorado , Nevada , New Mexico and Arizona , where the campaign has offices and field staff . In 2008 Obama won decisively in Nevada , Colorado and New Mexico , but lost to Republican John McCain in McCain 's home state of Arizona . This time around the economy remains under heavy downward pressure despite efforts by the Obama administration to turn things around . In Nevada , home prices have plummeted by 53 % since the peak , and according to online real estate site Zillow , 85 % of the state 's homeowners owe more than their homes are worth . At his fundraiser at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas Monday , the president acknowledged that `` things are tough right now , '' but he reminded the audience of some 300 supporters of his accomplishments . `` AsÂ tough as things are right now , weÂ were able to stabilize this economy and make sure it did n't go into a great depression , '' the president said . While the campaign is targeting key Western states , officials realize every vote will be critical . `` Our goal in 2011 is to build the biggest organization possible to compete on the widest playing field possible in 2012 , '' the campaign official said . CNN 's Alex Mooney , Dan Lothian , Lesa Jansen and Jessica Yellin contributed to this report .