November over any of the continental divide passes can be iffy, but we have not even had our first frost yet so I would not be too worried this year. November is actually, usually pretty darn nice here. There will be snow but nothing that a days delay cant take care of if it is really blowing. now jan/feb..... that's a different story. also traffic here in Nov. is usually not bad. early skiing sucks. southern CO is not any better than any other part, honestly wolf creek is often one of the first ski areas to open along with A-basin on Loveland pass which tops out at about 12k feet.
anyhow.
taos is fun too, we were down there in May and we were in Santa Fe about 2 weeks ago. also fun but more of a city vibe than taos. I know the roads out here like the back of my hand. spent 7 years running them with my oil field job, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado, every corner. plus I would spend my weeks off exploring, been to every nat park and many state parks in Utah and CO.
black canyon and sand dunes are my favs in CO. capital reef is my fav in Utah. don't miss Goblin valley state park north east of capital reef. Drive the notom-bullfrog road south from capital reef and cut across Escalante on the burr trail for a truly epic drive, no problem in anything with more clearance than a sedan. if you are going further south I really love natural bridges monument. very unique. and you can drive down the moki-dugway road and see goosenecks state park and valley of the gods near Mexican hat Utah. the last dirt road before you start down the moki dugway to the west, take this till it ends and its maybe the best view in all of Utah. Truly, I have been all around the state several times and it holds up. Bryce is cool but way developed and overcrowded, not my style. head west from Mexican hat and hit coral pink sand dunes state park near Kanab. spend a day volunteering at best friends animal society. you will never forget it, I know I never will.
I have spent at least a month, if not more of my life exploring Utah in my little slide in truck camper. and years of my life working in UT, WY, CO.
for a truly unique and special place go to 9 mile canyon south of myton utah and see the great hunt petroglyph. bring extra fuel though. I never went there without at least another 20 gallons. a flash flood could leave you stranded for several days easily. The road I know in is a wash just wide enough for a f550, or you can come in from the south west starting in Price. It must be one of the most remote places left in the lower 48.
so... come visit us and we will plan the rest of your trip with a highlighter in an atlas.