The complaint said the ATF found six points of origin for the fire. National Surety Corp. hired its own investigators who found 13 points of origin, Klosterman said.

As Cheyenne was left without its legendary lodging, attorneys for CJM and National Surety Corp. were at work.

On Dec. 7, 2011, CJM sued the insurance company for failing to make good on its policy, saying it had cooperated by providing documents, submitted to interviews and complied with the policy.

“National Surety has failed to honor, and/or has disputed or delayed, its obligation to provide coverage to CJM for the amount of property damage which CJM sustained in connection with the Underlying Claim,” according to the complaint filed by attorney Brian Osias in the U.S. District Court for New Jersey.

Osias did not return a call Friday seeking comment about either the CJM or National Surety Corp. lawsuits.

Klosterman said the CJM lawsuit is a separate legal action from the National Surety Corp. lawsuit filed Wednesday.

CJM now has 21 days to respond to his complaint, he said.

Meanwhile, National Surety Corp. refuses to recognize the claim by the owners of the late, great Hitch, according to the complaint.

“NSC has no obligation to ACJM because the loss was caused by a dishonest, fraudulent and/or criminal act specifically excluded by the Policy — the incendiary fire at the Hitching Post Inn.”

Reach Tom Morton at 307-266-0592, or at tom.morton@trib.com. You can read his blog at trib.com and follow him on Twitter @GTMorton.

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