I haven't hunted small game near Steamboat. I have mainly seen snowshoe hares up around 8-9500 feet. I haven't spent a lot of time in the lower BLM, but you should be able to find Cottontails and Jacks at lower elevations.
I know that isn't a ton of info, but that's what I can tell you.
I have only worn schnee's. I have a pair of the Hunters II, and I don't have a negative thing to say about them. They are a fantastic boot, and I find they run true to size.
I have spent a lot of time in both Tubbs and MSRs. I really like the MSRs. They are a little narrower, which I find works better with my stride, and they are super light. The pair of MSR Lightnings I have I found on sierra trading post for around $100. They have the mountain line of Tubbs on...
I was hoping to piggy back on this, too. I didn't grow up hunting, and a rabbit hunt seems like a good initiation.
Edit: After the post I saw the thread was a year old, but still hoping...