Measles Monitoring
Measles is a reportable communicable disease in Colorado, which means when a case of measles is suspected, public health officials will work directly with healthcare providers and school partners to investigate and respond to cases.
While the risk of measles is low in well-vaccinated populations, it is highly contagious and spreads easily in under-vaccinated communities. In 2025, 36 Colorado residents were diagnosed with measles. There have been no cases of measles in Colorado identified in 2026. Currently, active outbreaks of measles are located throughout the United States in Utah, Arizona, and South Carolina. Updated information about measles activity in Colorado is located on CDPHE’s webpage.
Signs and symptoms of measles include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis (red, watery eyes). A rash appears a few days into illness, beginning at the hairline and spreading down and outwards. After an exposure to measles, it may take 7 – 21 days for symptoms to appear.
If someone believes they are experiencing symptoms of measles, they should call their healthcare provider before arriving for an in-person visit. Measles is very contagious. The healthcare provider may provide special instructions before an in-person visit.
The best way to protect yourself and others from measles is to receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The MMR vaccine is a two-dose series, the first dose given at 12-15 months and the second dose age 4-6 years. MMR is one of the safest and most effective routine vaccines available. Two doses of MMR are about 97% effective at preventing measles and one dose is about 93% effective. Colorado law requires all students have two doses of the MMR vaccine before entering school, unless an exemption is filed.
The CDC recommends infants 6-11 months receive an early dose of MMR before traveling to an area with ongoing measles activity, either internationally or domestically to an area experiencing active outbreaks (i.e., Utah, Arizona). After receiving an early dose of MMR, the child should still receive the normal MMR vaccine schedule at 12-15 months and 4-6 years. Families should stay informed on areas experiencing outbreaks or higher levels of measles spread and plan travel accordingly.
Viral Respiratory Disease Updates
As students and staff return to the classroom following holiday break, it’s important for our community to know that respiratory illnesses are widespread in Colorado, especially influenza (flu).
Flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 illnesses are caused by viruses. Symptoms often include fever or feeling feverish, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle or body aches. If someone thinks they may have the flu, RSV, or COVID-19, they should stay home until they've been fever-free for at least 24 hours, and their symptoms are improving. The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) has guidance to help decide when a child should stay home from school.
These respiratory viruses usually cause mild to moderate symptoms that can be treated at home with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications for pain and fever as needed. However, young children, older adults, and people with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness and complications.
School and child care providers should review CDPHE’s guidance on preventing and controlling viral respiratory diseases for the 2025-2026 season.
How to prevent the spread of viral respiratory diseases:
Stay up to date on vaccines (including your yearly flu shot). It’s not too late to get a flu shot to offer extra protection during this tough flu season.
Wash your hands often.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
You can find providers who carry flu vaccines online.
For resources and information about circulation of flu, RSV, and COVID-19 in Colorado throughout the 2025-26 season, check out CDPHE’s Viral Respiratory Diseases Dashboard or DDPHE’s Respiratory Illness webpage.
High Five to Handwashing
Handwashing is one of the most important steps to keeping students, staff, and families healthy! School and child care providers should take active steps to ensure hand washing before eating, after restroom use or diapering, and any other time hands are soiled.
Hot water at sinks accessible to children shall be at least 85°F and shall not exceed a temperature of 120°F. Soap and single service towels should be available for all lavatory facilities; except when mechanical warm air dryers may be used in lieu of towels. Remember, young children need staff members to assist with handwashing.
Sanitizing Spotlight:
To reduce the spread of illness and maintain a healthy learning environment, there are some easy steps providers can take to keep students and teachers feeling their best.
To reduce the spread of illness and maintain a healthy learning environment, there are some easy steps providers can take to keep students and teachers feeling their best. All classroom materials must be properly cleaned and sanitized on a regular schedule. Infant and toddler classrooms should clean and sanitize materials daily and when mouthed by a child. Preschool classrooms should clean and sanitize materials weekly, or more frequently if visibly soiled.
Please ensure staff are trained on proper procedures and that sanitizing solutions are mixed according to manufacturer instructions. Consistent implementation of these practices helps protect the health of children and staff. Below are the proper sanitizing steps that should be followed.
Classroom materials should be cleaned using a three-step process:
1. Wash – Submerge items in a soapy water solution to remove dirt and debris.
2. Rinse – Submerge or rinse items in clean water.
3. Sanitize – Submerge items in an approved sanitizing solution and allow proper contact time.
Remember, sanitizing and disinfecting are different! Disinfection must occur when surfaces, like diaper changing tables or toilet seat inserts, have been contaminated with high-hazard body fluids (urine, feces, blood, vomit).
By wiping down shared surfaces and taking pride in a clean space, we can create healthy learning environments with fewer sick days and plenty of energy to learn and play!
If you have any questions on sanitizing and disinfecting, please reach out to your area investigator or email phicomments@denvergov.org
No Changes to Pediatric Vaccines in Colorado
You may have seen headlines about changes to childhood vaccination strategies. We want to clarify what’s changed, what hasn’t, and what it means for families in Denver.
DDPHE follows the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) recommended vaccine schedule, which is based on the latest scientific research. All vaccines recommended by the AAP are still available and covered by health insurance.
What happened?
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently announced a change in the recommended immunization schedule for children. According to their announcement, the schedule has been organized into the following categories:
Immunizations Recommended for all Children
Immunizations Recommended for Certain High-Risk Populations
Immunizations Based on Shared Clinical-Decision-Making
Not recommended – no vaccines currently identified but category now exists
These changes were made outside the standard scientific review process that normally guides vaccine recommendations.
What does this mean for Denver families?
Colorado requirements for school-aged vaccinations have not changed and are still vitally important to protecting kids and communities from preventable diseases like measles and flu.
Kids will continue to have access to all vaccinations recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. However, we may see changes to coverage for the second dose of the HPV vaccinations. Continued efforts to protect coverage and vaccine availability will be important.
The experts at DDPHE and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment continue to recommend that Denver’s children receive vaccinations as directed by the AAP. This is based on decades of scientific evidence showing that the vaccines are safe, effective, and one of the best tools we have to prevent serious preventable illness.
What is a vaccine schedule?
A vaccine schedule is a plan that tells you which vaccines a child or teen should get and at what age. It’s designed by medical experts to give the best protection against serious diseases at the right time in a child’s development.
The AAP’s vaccine schedule is based on scientific research and considers:
Which vaccines are needed to prevent illnesses like measles, whooping cough, and flu
The timing for each dose, so the immune system gets the strongest protection
Spacing between doses, because some vaccines need more than one shot for full protection
Our commitment
We understand that changes in vaccine guidance can be confusing. Our goal is to provide clear, evidence-based information so families can make informed decisions. We remain committed to protecting the health of Denver’s residents and supporting parents and providers with trusted guidance.
Vaccines are widely available through healthcare providers and local pharmacies. Denver Public Schools students and siblings may also access vaccinations through Denver Health’s School-based Health Centers at no charge. Children who are eligible, and individuals who are uninsured or underinsured, may also be eligible to receive vaccinations through DDPHE.
If you have questions about childhood vaccines, you can reach out to the DDPHE nursing team at ddphepubhealthnurse@denvergov.org.
Contact Us!
For general disease-related questions, feel free to contact the DDPHE Epidemiology & Disease Intervention Program at 720-865-5767 or ddphe_epi@denvergov.org.
Report a disease or outbreak using the DDPHE reporting link for schools and child care centers.
If you are a DPS facility, you can report diseases and outbreaks using the DPS-specific link.