Appeals court hearing arguments in Utah road case

DENVER — The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is revisiting a ruling over a bid by Kane County in Utah to claim ownership of dirt roads crossing the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

A three-judge panel of the court previously ruled the county was wrong to take control over motor routes on federal land. The county sought a rehearing by the full court, which is hearing oral arguments Tuesday in Denver.

In 2003, county leaders took down 31 signs in the monument in southern Utah that closed routes and prohibited off-road vehicles, then put up county signs, essentially opening the routes.

The county contends it can claim rights of way on the roads.

The county has since removed its signs.