Hy,
just had a long thought with my wife about the trip. We decided to skip the idea of the whole trip Denver to Las Vegas. The idea was so great, but it seems the realisation is not as good as the idea was.
So we think now different ways. As you concentrated on the Denver part in most repsonses, I will focus on this area - especially as we have been to the other parts already.
So an idea is now to fly to Las Vegas, rent a car one way to Durango start the trip there and then go back from some other place with a rental car to Las Vegas. On the way with car I will try to see Canyonlands as well and I will have the end in Las Vegas - a bit different, but still it is ;-)
Now we have to think about the route in Denver and also if it is possible to go there by one-way car-rental. Do you think it is possible? Route now maybe even to Rocky Mountain NP and then back via Colorado Springs and Sand Dunes? All these ideas are really great. And we can focus this way on the area we are most intrigued to finally go to ...
Any further support is greatly appreciated ...
yours Tobias