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 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 declares an outbreak if a state has at least three linked cases.
Anyone who attended Broomfield Heights 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.
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 who 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.