If you decide to go the CO route don't spend too much time poring over the Gov't stats like hunter success or population #'s. Their methodology is poor at best and deceptive at worst. Maps and trails should be your focus once you decide on a unit or block of units. Find where the people aren't and you will likely find some elk. Pack stock makes everything easier but everything harder, depending on you and the stock's skill set. It can be very rewarding... or fatal.
Try to avoid riding out of camp at dawn and looking for elk from atop your mighty steed as you ride trails all day. It has about the same chance of success as doing the same from your truck/roads. (better but not dramatically so).
When you get to where the "trail" looks like two pikas may have followed each other 10 years ago, that's where your hunt starts in earnest, and it starts with tying off your horse.
And the Indians lost for a reason, if you want to hunt elk: hunt with a bow for the whole season. If you want to eat elk, hunt with a rifle.
Elk hunters dont generally fail from the bodies frailties, they fail from the shoulders up.
