My Garmin Nuvi 465 wants to take us south from Denver and turn west on 160 in Walsenburg through Fort Garland on CO 159 and continue in New Mexico on 522 to Taos. This route will work, but looking at...
You could consider just taking US 285 all the way down, if you'd like a drive with lots of scenery, and pick up US 64 in to Taos at Tres Piedras. Avoids I-25 from Denver to the Springs, which more and more is bumper to bumper til you get south toward Pueblo.