Colorado Declares Measles Outbreak After Third Case Tied to Broomfield High School
Colorado public health officials have declared a measles outbreak after officials confirmed a third case tied to Broomfield High School.
Officials confirmed a second case of measles in an Adams County resident, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in a Wednesday afternoon release. The child, a student at Broomfield Heights Middle School, had not received the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and had contact with a recent measles case tied to Broomfield High School, according to the release.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a measles outbreak is defined as three or more related cases.
Anyone who attended the middle school from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Feb. 17 through Feb. 19 may have been exposed, the release stated. Anyone who visited the Broomfield Community Center from 7:35 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 19 may have been exposed. Symptoms may develop through March 12.
Broomfield Heights Middle School excluded students and staff who are not vaccinated against measles from the school Wednesday as a precaution while they awaited confirmation of the case, according to a letter sent to students and staff. Students and staff cannot return to school until their exclusion or quarantine period ends. Students who are vaccinated can continue attending school if they are not showing signs of sickness.
“From time-to-time, we do have students who are out for an extended period of time due to medical issues, family situations, travel, etc. Students are following the normal protocol,” Randy Barber, a Boulder Valley School District spokesperson, said in a statement.
Quarantined students can ask the school administration or teachers what assignments can be completed while they are away, he said.
State health officials first alerted community members to a measles exposure in the Broomfield area on Friday.
A list of possible measles exposure locations can be found on the state health department’s website.
Colorado has confirmed four cases of measles so far this year, according to a state health department webpage.
Before the three cases tied to Broomfield High were confirmed, an out-of-state traveler with a confirmed case of measles traveled through Denver International Airport and attended a church service in Littleton while infectious, according to Colorado health officials. The individual arrived on a flight Feb. 21 and departed Feb. 22, according to a news release.
On Feb. 22, the person attended a church service and reception at a church at 6853 S. Prince St. in Littleton, the release said.
Last year, the state declared a measles outbreak in Mesa County after three children brought the virus back from an out-of-state trip and passed it to eight other people in August. In June, a measles outbreak was tied to Denver International Airport.
In 2025, Colorado recorded 35 measles cases, the highest number since the 1990s. In a typical year, Colorado has two or fewer measles cases.
Initial symptoms of measles include a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. The red rash typically develops about four days after a person becomes contagious. People who think they could have measles should call ahead before visiting a health care provider, so they can take precautions to avoid infecting other patients.
