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...
One of my favorite drives from Denver is to head west on 70 to 24 and then south down the high valley. Nice two lane with great views of the 14teeners. Its my way to Aspen too, but going south you can connect with multiple options to Taos. I would save the route thru Angel Fire for the toad and do the whole circle from Taos. I know this route is longer and slower but its much more fun and very light traffic compared to 25 which I hate.