A group of Colorado natives and environmentalists are trying to revive a 2004 lawsuit against mining company Phelps Dodge Corp., and the decision could affect the way private mining companies purchase public land.

The town of Crested Butte, Colo., Gunnison County and the High Country Citizens Alliance argued before a three-judge panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Jan. 9 that a third party has the right to challenge the sale of public lands to private companies.