Best route from Durango to Colorado Springs. 160?

Is it just me or is that climb east on 80 out of Salt Lake City a doozy? Other passes I have not enjoyed: The drop out of the Bitterroots on the way to Salmon, ID and the drop out of Donner pass on the way to Reno -- narrow, winding and so much racing traffic. Then at the bottom, just as you're recouping -- a stoplight! Nothing but tail lights. Oy...that was not fun.