Here is a link to some of Colorados hunter outreach material. They've had the Elk Hunting University for a few years but have now started adding info for hunting turkeys. Its mostly basic info and I haven't read it all, but its still enjoyable reading. Click the Chapter 1 link on the right. There are several pages of reading.
I think you have to remember that turkey hunting is still relatively new for a lot of the hunters in the West. Big game (and upland game in some areas) is the "tradition" in this part of the country, but turkeys are gaining more respect year by year.
It has some Merriams specific info. that may be helpful to anyone traveling to the mountains to hunt Merriams.
http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/Turkey/TurkeySchool/Pages/TurkeySchool.aspx