Colorado itinerary
 

I am asking for help with my two week Colorado itinerary. The first leg of the trip is pretty well set including Colorado Springs and southwest Colorado. It includes Colorado Springs, Black Canyon, Telluride, Mesa Verde, Durango and Ouray. I need help/advice with the following. We would depart Ouray on 9/16 in the morning and want to be in Estes in the afternoon of 9/18. What would be options? I would really like to see Maroon Bells, but am trying to figure out the quickest route with the shortest amount of driving time. Is there a way to incorporate this into this trip?

Just look at the map. Aspen (Maroon Bells) is a little hard to hit since it is up a canyon with one road in and one road out. But you also have three days to do it. Quickest would be to north of Ouray to I-70 and east. At Glenwood Springs you could divert south to Aspen. Maybe overnight in Glenwood Springs. From Aspen take Independence Pass to Leadville. Very scenic drive. From Leadville work you way back to I-70. Or return to Glenwood Springs and continue east on I-70 through Glenwood Canyon - another scenic drive. In the canyon turn off and hike up to Hanging Lake. Again lots of place to stop along I-70 - Frisco, Breckenridge, Georgetown. You have lots of time and lots of options.