Really add Barolo Grill to your list.
Bonita Grill--puhleeze!!!

I floated several of the restaurants, including Barolo Grill, and Rioja came out on top for this round. But now my wife and I have options for future reference. Thanks again for the suggestions.

Tentative plans with our friends is to walk from our hotel to the Brown Palace for a cocktail, then stroll back past our hotel to Rioja for dinner. Should be good.
The "uniquely Colorado" part of the visit will be Trail Ridge Road.