Denver to Fairplay is OK. There is one not too bad grade going into a Bailey and also not bad grades over Kenosha pass. The alternative route is to take I-25 south and then US 160 west. ( which still takes you over Wolf Creek pass )
[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Tahoma,Calibri,Geneva,sans-serif]In September, I would take US 285. The scenery will be fantastic. Kenosha pass is not a high pass. As you come over this, you come onto South Park, which is a vast valley. This is the South Park from the animated series on TV. Eventually, you will come to the outskirts of the town of Buena Vista. From there as you head south, the Collegiate range will be on your right. This is a series of 14,000ft peaks. Beautiful.[/FONT]