The Nano Comps don't look like they are very road friendly. Looking at the tread, I'd call them a good off-pavement to moderately good single track tire. But they wouldn't be that good on-road, especially if you are doing a lot of miles before you hit the off-pavement part. All you'll do is speed a lot of energy wearing down the knobs and making them useless by the time you reach the "off-pavement" part. Use a smoother tire for the on-road part and switch tires to a more aggressive off-pavement tire once you get here. I'm not trying to talk you out of going off-pavement (different from "off-road") in Colorado but don't waste energy when you don't need to.

Going a bit off-topic, I can help you with route planning in Colorado. I really doubt that you want to do single track across Colorado unless you are particularly masochistic. I know the state very well and can suggest a number of routes that include moderate road grades across the state as well as some better routes than those suggested by Adventure Cycling, particularly along the TransAmerica. You can either PM me or we can do it in the open forum.