Longmont, Colorado — A civil lawsuit has brought to light a harrowing incident involving Carol Gonzales and her daughter during their stay at the Econo Lodge. On January 3, 2023, Gonzales and her then-38-year-old daughter believed they were secure in their hotel room, unaware that Cody Czichos was in the lobby requesting a key to their room.
According to police reports obtained by local media, Czichos, who was not a registered guest, was mistakenly issued a key card by front desk personnel. With this key, he entered the room, where he assaulted Gonzales, who was 69 at the time. Following the attack, Gonzales called 911. The hotel staff relocated her to a different room, leaving her daughter alone in Room 112.
While her daughter was asleep with the door secured, Czichos returned to the scene, this time armed with a knife. He managed to enter again and assaulted her viciously, nearly causing fatal injuries. Both women survived the ordeal, and a Weld County jury awarded them over $4 million in damages last week.
Attorney Matthey Haltzman, representing the victims, highlighted the jury’s verdict as a significant message regarding the hotel’s negligence. He affirmed that the financial compensation reflects the severity of the pain and trauma endured by Gonzales and her daughter.
Premiere Hospitality, Inc., which oversees the Econo Lodge franchise, declined to comment on the case. Hotel attorneys argued that it was the responsibility of Gonzales and her daughter to ensure their safety, claiming they should have locked the door and notified staff about Czichos’s presence.
The Longmont Econo Lodge has a documented history of police involvement, with deputies responding to more than 173 incidents over the previous year, including drug-related activities and weapon disturbances. The hotel serves as an extended-stay facility, often accommodating long-term guests.
Experts in hotel safety claim that front desk staff should always verify the identity of individuals requesting access to a guest’s room. In this case, Czichos was a former boyfriend of Gonzales’s daughter, and the two women had previously asked him to leave due to erratic behavior. Hotel staff reportedly failed to confirm his identity before granting him access.
Czichos was apprehended later at a nearby bar and pleaded guilty to charges related to the attack, receiving a 15-year prison sentence in April 2024.
In light of this incident, public safety expert Sal Caccavale stressed the importance of taking personal security measures when staying at hotels. He urged travelers to treat hotel safety with the same gravity as home security, cautioning against complacency.
Caccavale offered various security tips, including thorough research about hotels prior to booking, ensuring that room numbers are kept private, and performing checks for potential intruders upon entry. He also recommended verifying the functionality of locks and door mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.
The Econo Lodge incident serves as a reminder of potential dangers that can arise anywhere, underscoring the necessity for vigilance in hotel environments.
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