Nice run through a couple of passes with a mix of straight roads but also some very cool twisties. Nice to plan a stay in Cortez and do a few of the loops out that way such as 4 corners, Moab Utah etc.
12 miles of dirt road to Buelah just past Bishops Castle
This route will take you on seldom-traveled roads and makes a great, long, day trip the first day Denver - Deckers - Cripple Creek - Canon City, Bishop's Castle, Trinidad. Second day is Trinidad - Cimarron, Angel Fire, Taos, Chamayo, Santa Fe. Third day is fast two-lane back to Denver from Santa Fe via US 285.