Crested Butte supporters to protest Forest Service

CRESTED BUTTE (AP) - Crested Butte Mountain Resort is protesting a U.S. Forest Service decision blocking its proposal to expand on 276 acres on Snodgrass Mountain.

Resort supporters are staging a protest Friday at the agency's regional office in Golden.

The ski area contends the Forest Service did not follow the procedures it follows at other ski areas in deciding earlier this month to block its application for an environmental review of the proposed expansion. It also disagrees with the agency's position that it can't appeal.

A Forest Service spokeswoman did not return a phone message seeking comment Thursday.

The Forest Service had cited a divided public, environmental issues and other concerns in its decision.