Used to do pretty good around garden city on some WHA's right along the Arkansas river..But its been 15 years since i've been there, might not even be a WHA anymore..
Leoti area was lousy with pheasants back then too, but again its been awhile.
I hunted the Russell area about 3 weeks ago. If you can find cut milo, there should be some birds. I usually found a covey or two per field. Lots of driving to find the right fields. Good luck. Phez were somewhat scarce and very wild already.
Get THE book and work your way thru the state. N east to N central should be the best and closest to you. I drive to Garden City area as the number and quality improve greatly over eastern CO and Western KS.