We’ve been fighting this battle up here north of Ouray in the Grand Valley, too. The Public Lands Access Association is doing an amazing job, and is currently working on opening 12-15 previously closed roads under the same statute. Glad to hear Ouray County is standing up as well. I like the response - these are Federal roads! HA! No such thing. These roads belong to the State & County and the Feds have very little jurisdiction!
RS 2477 is a simple and straightforward law. Congress specifically and clearly reaffirmed the validity and intent of RS 2477 in 1976.
http://www.icmj.com/more_page.php?id=5&keywords=RS_2477_Roads_&_Rights-of-Way_(Summary)
IIRC, Ouray was where a bunch of hippies moved to and got into positions of power (mayor, dog catcher, etc.) back in the 70’s?? The Feds infiltrated them and brought the whole thing down (drug charges, etc.). Years ago I had thought that was a good idea, to give the town back to the people that had lived there.
Now - not so much. What Conservatives need to do is take the general distrust of a powerful central government and use it to form political policy and campaign material. BOTH sides of the aisle are getting fed up with big government - and many times on the same issues.