May 1, 2011 – Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced that his office has obtained an indictment against the owner and employees of a Frisco Holiday Inn on suspicion that they failed to properly abate and dispose of asbestos in their hotel, exposing two dozen other workers and guests to the dangerous situation. According to the indictment, the defendants are suspected of causing or contributing to a hazardous substance incident and of violating the Air Quality Control Act. The defendants could face up to six years in prison or a $500,000 fine.
The indictment stems from the following alleged facts: After the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment learned of renovations to the hotel that resulted in asbestos contamination to guest rooms, they prohibited the owner from renting out the affected rooms. Despite the prohibition, the owner and members of his staff allegedly ordered the housekeeping staff to clean the affected rooms. In addition, they allegedly continued to rent out the rooms to unsuspecting guests.