How many people are you planning to transport? The Telluride is great for families of 4-5. For anything else, a 4Runner or even a RAV4 could fit your needs in the terrain you mentioned. My old 4Runner handled snow like a champ, but it was too small for our setup with 2 car seats and a big dog. That’s why we needed an upgrade.
If a 3-row family SUV is essential, the Telluride’s X-Pro is impressive. The tires and clearance offer good stability for light off-roading. However, if you need more capability, you could look at the Honda Pilot Trailsport, which is also rated highly in icy conditions. There are several YouTube recommendations about this. Since moving to Atlanta, snow and ice aren’t as big a worry, but Honda’s SH-AWD is excellent.
For Colorado mountains, you might want to think about a used Lexus GX. Put it in full-time 4WD, and it can handle tough situations. While Kia’s AWD is solid, it isn’t as tested in blizzard conditions.