I do this same drive regularly, typically with 2-4 people inside and 2-4 bikes on the roof. Let your FEH do its thing and don't let the engine drone bother you. The CVT and software won't allow you to get the drivetrain near its true operational limits.

Eastbound, the climb up Vail Pass and the climb from Silverthorne are both steeper than Westbound. On those, I am "all in" at about 50-55 MPH for the last mile. But so is nearly everyone else. Put the pedal on the floor for that last mile and leave it there unless you prefer a slower speed.

Your Subaru never got to redline because you had a turbo XT model, which was developed after Subaru engineers drove a 2.5 on mountain roads and got passed by a lot of other vehicles. Denver is one of their biggest markets and they realized they needed something which could handle hills at altitude. They went to work and, Voila, in '02 they introduced a 2.5 engine with the WRX treatment in a Forester body and called it the XT. The perfect Colorado car!

Too bad about the 17-19 MPG and premium fuel, or I would own one.

West of Avon on the south side of I-70, look for a big building with a giant Ford logo on it. It's the high-altitude R&D facility. You are actually driving the same roads where Ford tested your car. Except they probably towed a trailer and/or crammed the passenger compartment with water-filled containers at all positions to replicate the weight of 5 big people on board.

Drive I-70 around the Eisenhower tunnel often enough and you'll see Ford test mules running around. If you see one, look closely. It's a future Ford, bearing funky disguises and Michigan "manufacturer" plates. And it's probably got water-filled "people" belted into the seats!! Wave to the engineers as you go by...