First off, thank you!

You not only took the time to try and search for your answer, but you used a descriptive thread title! ^^

Anyways, onto seats: CO in my experience does not release some set number 330+ days out for the standard level (for first or coach). Rather, they tend to wait till about 3-4 months out before revenue management kicks them over to the reward buckets.

Now, in your case you want to go in Nov and it sounds like you know when you want to go but CO has not released any award seats yet. Moreover, you'd prefer CO due to a more direct routing.

Here's what you can try: call back CO and use your OP miles to book the DL award (or any other award on DL/NW/AS the dates you want that'll get you to where you need to go). Once your flights are booked ask the rep on the phone to waitlist the travelers for the CO flights. In theory when CO finally does get around to opening the flights you want, you'll get the seats. But, should they not become available, you at least have the partner ticket.

I've never done this before (booked a partner reward but waitlisted for a CO flight) but I believe it is allowed under the rules.

Good luck