I've ridden on U.S. 36 in Kansas from the CO border to Philipsburg and back. No problems from the law. Sorry that you ran into an officer who either didn't know the law or who didn't care to know the law.
And yeah, several western States permit cycling on limited access highways under certain circumstances. I've personally ridden parts of I-5 in Oregon. Not the most fun road to ride, but sometimes it's the only road there is (which is understood by the lawmakers, and that's why riding on it is permissible).
Last edited by The Octopus; 04-23-09 at 01:00 PM.