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CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. (AP) — Colorado's ski industry is worried that the recent denial of a western Colorado ski area's request to expand on national forest land might signal a new trend.

The U.S. Forest Service last month rejected the Crested Butte Mountain Resort's application for an environmental review of the proposed 262-acre expansion. The decision is believed to be the first outright denial of a ski area's proposed expansion without first going through an environmental analysis.

Melanie Mills of the trade group Colorado Ski Country USA says the action is unprecedented. She says the ski industry is concerned about the decision.

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

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