DENVER - A Hampton Inn & Suites franchise in Colorado has agreed to pay $85,000 in back pay and compensatory damages to several Caucasian employees who alleged they were fired because the owners believed non-Hispanics are lazy.

The franchise in Craig is owned by Rawlins, Wyo.-based Century Shree Corp.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleged the company fired at least three Caucasian housekeeping and laundry workers and replaced them with Latino workers, believing Hispanics work harder.

Century Shree's lawyer Tim Kingston said Tuesday the alleged discrimination was by one "rogue" employee who has been discharged and that the owners deny wrongdoing.

The company has agreed to offer the fired workers reinstatement to their jobs, and the owners, managers and supervisors of the company will undergo training on federal anti-discrimination laws.