“Good glass” for elk in CO is going to be a solid pair of binos for most people. You don’t need a high end spotter to see elk. I had Vortex Diamondback 10x42’s for a long time. Switched to the Leupold BX5 10x50’s a few years ago. I prefer the Leupolds but both spotted elk for me just fine. If...
If there are bulls hanging up in other camps, I would say that there is something you guys are doing that is keeping you from punching a tag. The CPW issues elk tags in unit 52 and 521 because there are elk there... You just have to find them. Moving to another OTC unit wont drastically change...
My buddy has always slept in his truck bed with a topper on it. He put a cot on one side and keeps his gear on the other side. He ties a tarp to some nearby trees for some space outside of the topper. Very slick system. If I didn't have my camper, that's the way I would go.
Whether you find a partner or not, just go! I used to solo hunt in Colorado until I met a guy at the trailhead one morning. He shot an elk the night before but couldn't find it. I helped him track it down that morning and now we hunt together.
I'm a Colorado resident so if you need some info...