Colorado has its first measles outbreak of 2026, with three cases linked to students at Broomfield schools.
Measles symptoms can take up to three weeks to appear and initially are nonspecific: a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes.
The rash, which typically starts at the hairline and moves down, appears about four days after someone becomes contagious, so people can spread the virus before they know what they have.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has identified 11 possible exposure sites linked to the current outbreak in Broomfield, Lafayette, Louisville and Westminster.
The current locations where people could have encountered the virus are:
- Broomfield Heights Middle School, 1555 Daphne St., 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 17-19. Symptoms could appear through March 12.
- Broomfield High School, 1 Eagle Way, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 19-20 and Feb. 23-27. Symptoms could appear through March 20.
- King Soopers, 1150 US-287, Broomfield, 1-5 p.m. Feb. 19 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 21. Symptoms could appear through March 12 for people exposed Feb. 19, and through March 14 for people exposed Feb. 21.
- Broomfield Community Center, 280 Spader Way, 7:35-10:30 p.m. Feb. 19. Symptoms could appear through March 12.
- Petsmart Walnut Creek, 10460 Town Center Dr., Westminster, 7:30-10 a.m. Feb. 22. Symptoms could appear through March 15.
- Efrains Mexican Restaurant, 101 E. Cleveland St., Lafayette, 5-10 p.m. Feb. 22. Symptoms could appear through March 15.
- Advanced Urgent Care, 3950 W. 144th Ave., Broomfield, 1:30-4:30 Feb. 24. Symptoms could appear through March 17.
- UCHealth Broomfield Hospital Emergency Department, 11820 Destination Drive, 2:45-6 p.m. Feb. 24. Symptoms could appear through March 17.
- CU Medicine Family Medicine Clinic, 361 Centennial Parkway, Louisville, 10:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 25. Symptoms could appear through March 18.
- Chick-fil-A, 4260 W. 121st Ave., Broomfield, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 25. Symptoms could appear through March 18.
- Chipotle, 5160 W. 120th Ave., Westminster, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 26. Symptoms could appear through March 19.
People who encountered the virus and develop symptoms should call ahead before going for medical care, to reduce the odds of spreading the virus.
Two doses of the measles vaccine reduce the odds of infection by about 97%. People who haven’t been vaccinated can get partial protection if they receive the shot within about three days of exposure to the virus.
Colorado has recorded four measles cases so far in 2026. Last year, the state confirmed 36 cases — a huge increase over the past decade, during which each year saw between zero and two cases.
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