I don't like Cyccommutes' route (usually I do like his routes!) it maximizes hot/dry/busy areas and minimizes mountains. That road between Paonia and Delta straight-up sucks (traffic, ugly, dangerous) and the Mancos-Durango stretch will be brutally hot. Question: Is Crested BUtte to Panonia paved or dirt?

Try this one: http://goo.gl/maps/9467

You do have to keep an eye on the Little Sand wildfire burning near Pagosa Springs though - you could do an end run around it through Alamosa/Chama/Dulce if needed. The Chama area is really nice.