Measles cases rise to 7 in Broomfield schools
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Four additional students have been diagnosed with measles linked to an outbreak in Broomfield, and health officials say one of those students may have exposed travelers at Denver International Airport.
Why it matters: Colorado's first measles outbreak of the year is accelerating, and a potential exposure at DIA — one of the region's busiest travel hubs — raises the risk that the virus could spread quickly across communities and even state lines.
The latest: Colorado's health department said Friday that it identified four new measles cases — all in children connected to either Broomfield High or Broomfield Heights Middle schools. That brings the total to seven students infected in this outbreak, all of whom have been confirmed unvaccinated.
- Three of the students are Adams County residents and one from Weld County.
Threat level: One of the infected students was at DIA on Feb. 16, arriving at the B gates and taking the train to the main terminal.
- New possible exposure locations have also been identified in Broomfield, Denver, Frederick and Westminster, including at Chippers Bowling Alley in Broomfield and Arby's and Coldstone Creamery in Westminster.
Reality check: "There is always a risk of exposure to measles when traveling, especially now with outbreaks occurring throughout the country," CDPHE spokesperson Kristin Richmann told us.
Zoom in: She confirmed Friday that 80 unvaccinated people, mostly students, have been ordered to stay home from Broomfield High and Broomfield Heights.
- But because both schools have vaccination rates above 95%, Richmann clarified, adding, "While we expect to see additional cases, it is unlikely that this outbreak would become large enough to impact school operations."
Between the lines: The outbreak presents a tracing challenge because Broomfield's student population includes people from many surrounding larger counties.
- "We are actively working together with local public health agencies [that] are doing a great job [of] tracking the case details within their respective counties and working together to ensure guidance and followup activities are aligned," Richmann said.
The big picture: A surge of recent measles cases — more than 1,100 this year — nearing half of the 30-year high recorded in 2025 is stoking more criticism of the Trump administration's lukewarm endorsement of vaccines.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with new information from the Colorado health department's spokesperson Kristin Richmann.