Honestly this is what I would get or build something off of it:
Savage Lady Hunter in 7mm-08. It will harvest anything in Colorado you are after. Recoil is mild and when she actually shoots an animal she will not know. Put a 3-9X40 scope on it with DNZ Game Reaper mounts and she would be golden. Easily a 300 yard rifle.

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/11Lady
Rifle Specs
Weights 6lbs
Barrel 20"
Twist rate 1X9
Overall Length 39.5"

10 lbs is a heavy rifle to be toting up and down a mountain with other gear.