Measles Outbreak Hits Colorado School: 3 Cases and Counting—Is Your Child Safe?

Colorado health officials have declared a measles outbreak in Adams County as of Wednesday, following the confirmation of a third case linked to Broomfield High School. This latest case highlights growing concerns surrounding vaccination rates in the U.S., particularly among school-aged children.

The outbreak involves three unvaccinated individuals, two of whom are confirmed students at Broomfield High School. According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), the identification of three related cases meets the criteria set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for declaring an outbreak.

“The child is a known contact of a recent measles case tied to Broomfield High School,” a CDPHE spokesperson stated. Local health officials are reaching out to students and staff who may need to take further health precautions while investigating other potential exposures.

To mitigate the spread of the disease, health authorities have advised that individuals who may have been exposed should monitor their health for symptoms, which can appear within 21 days and initially manifest as fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed by a characteristic rash. The specific locations and times of potential exposure include:

• Broomfield Heights Middle School, 1555 Daphne Street, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on February 17, 18, and 19.
• Broomfield Community Center, 280 Spader Way, from 7:35 to 10:30 p.m. on February 19.

Individuals who are unvaccinated and believe they may have been exposed can still receive a vaccination within 72 hours to prevent illness. Additionally, immunoglobulin treatment administered within six days can help lessen the severity of the disease.

The initial case from the school was confirmed the previous week, with the second case reported on Monday. Health officials have opted not to disclose the names, ages, or genders of the affected students.

According to the Boulder Valley School District, among the 1,669 students enrolled at Broomfield High School, 26 are currently on an exclusion list and are not permitted to attend school. Broomfield is situated about 15 miles northwest of Denver.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to serious complications, particularly in unvaccinated individuals. The CDC reports that in 2026 alone, the country has witnessed 10 new outbreaks, with 90% of confirmed cases, totaling 1,023 out of 1,136, being "outbreak-associated." This surge emphasizes the importance of vaccination; the CDC notes that nearly all reported cases, about 97%, involve individuals who are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status.

Historically, measles cases in the U.S. have dramatically decreased since the introduction of the vaccine in 1963. However, it’s clear that lower vaccination rates in certain communities have contributed to the resurgence of preventable diseases like measles. In fact, the U.S. recorded its highest number of measles cases in over 30 years last year, prompting health experts to call for increased vaccination efforts.

As this outbreak unfolds, health officials are emphasizing the critical role of vaccinations in protecting not just individual children but the community as a whole. With the stakes so high, parents are urged to ensure their children are vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) to prevent further outbreaks and safeguard public health.