Carlos Echeandia, owner of longtime award-winning restaurant Carlos’ Bistro, is accused of sexual assaulting a waitress trainee.

Echeandia, 62, allegedly made unwanted sexual advances toward the woman inside the restaurant off 21st Street during her training after encouraging her to consume sample alcoholic drinks on an empty stomach, according to court documents.

A statement from Echeandia’s lawyer to The Gazette stated the owner “steadfastly denies” the charges and that justice must not be “dictated by speculation in the court of public opinion.”

“While the charges are serious, they remain allegations—not proven facts,” the statement reads. “As is the right of every citizen, Mr. Echeandia is entitled to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence.”

Echeandia was arrested in early December in connection to the alleged sexual assault after a several-month investigation by police.

When originally reporting what allegedly occurred, the victim told police that they knew each other from church and Echeandia had offered to give her a job as a bartender at the bistro after learning she had been unemployed for several months, according to court documents.

Sometime after exchanging numbers, Echeandia asked her to come in so they could start training that morning.

The woman said Echeandia suggested bartending because they “didn’t have bartenders” and individuals can make $1,000 per night, which caused her to rush to accept the job.

When she became noticeably drunk from consuming the sample drinks, the victim told police his demeanor shifted and began making comments about how he was a “sinner” and that he was addicted to sex, according to court documents.

The woman told investigators that she was “trashed” and felt like she could have possibly been drugged, describing that her legs felt heavy and that she felt like she was moving through cement.

Then, Echeandia allegedly assaulted the woman and told her something to the effect of, “Don’t tell anyone this happened” at least twice afterward, court documents state.

After speaking with police, the woman called Echeandia while a detective listened in on the discussion. During the call, Echeandia allegedly said that “it” was his fault after initially telling the woman, “If I got to do it again, I would do it again”, according to the court documents.

He allegedly explained that he felt terrible and that he can typically “control” himself when he is around “pretty ladies,” including whenever the two were at church. Echeandia apologized numerous times to the victim when she pressed him, at one point saying, “I’m very sorry that I kiss you,” and continued apologizing for other acts, court documents state.

Echeandia acknowledged that he made the statement, among others, during the call after he was asked about it by a detective. But he said that he was only saying it to make the victim feel better and that he is a happily married man, according to court documents.

He told the detective that she “jumped” on him, and she was the one to start the sexual advances and had requested to drink the alcohol. He denied ever having sex with her, adding he only reflexively touched her while she was naked when she “jumped” on him to keep himself from falling over, court documents state.

Investigators spoke with three people who were told about an abuse allegation from a victim and they recounted many of the same details that the victim recalled.

“All of the outcry witness statements were very consistent with each other,” the detective stated in the arrest affidavit.

Echeandia was booked into the El Paso County jail on Dec. 4, and he posted bond a day later. He is facing the following charges:

• Sexual assault – victim helpless (felony)
• Sexual assault – no consent (felony)
• Sexual contact – no consent (misdemeanor)

He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 6 in the afternoon.

Echeandia opened his bistro in 2004 and has been rated by Zagat Survey America’s Top Restaurants as the best restaurant in Colorado, according to Carlos’ Bistro’s website.

The bistro, best known for its fish and seafood dishes, has earned 51 awards from various national and local organizations and was most recently awarded the Open Table Diners’ Choice in 2024 and 2025.

Echeandia began his career as a dishwasher in a Disneyland Hotel, and later became a waiter and cook, according to previous reporting by The Gazette. He and his wife, Marcia, opened Carlos’ Bistro in October 2004 after moving to Colorado and gaining experience from several Colorado Springs restaurants.

The arrest of Echeandia will not affect the regular hours of operation for Carlos’ Bistro, an employee told The Gazette.