Colorado on Wednesday reported its sixth case of measles this year in a state resident — this time in a child who is now hospitalized, according to the state Health Department.
The child, described as a toddler under the age of 5 by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, visited the Children’s Hospital Colorado ER in Aurora on the evening of Thursday, May 22; the morning of Monday, May 26; and overnight Monday into Tuesday, May 27.
The child, who lives in Arapahoe County, also made several visits to Walgreens, Sam’s Club and Natural Grocers stores in Aurora before being diagnosed with the disease and being hospitalized due to measles.
In a news release, CDPHE said the child, who is unvaccinated against measles, had recently traveled with family to “multiple international locations with increased measles cases.”
The state provided no other information about the child’s condition or prognosis.
More than 1,000 cases of measles have been reported nationwide so far in 2025, including three confirmed deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among those cases, 96% have been in people who are either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown, and 12% of people infected have been hospitalized.
The number of cases this year is already the most since 2019, which saw about 1,200 cases for the entire year. Before that, you have to go back to 1992 to find a year with more than 1,000 cases of measles in the United States.
While a number of states have experienced outbreaks — clusters of at least three locally transmitted infections — Colorado’s cases this year have largely been imports related to out-of-state travel.
But the spreading number of infections nationally and internationally means that potential exposure to the highly contagious measles virus in Colorado — while still extremely rare — is now popping up in unexpected places. Previous cases have caused possible exposures at a deli in Pueblo, a ski area in southwestern Colorado, a hotel in Denver, as well as at Denver International Airport and several medical clinics.
Exposure locations
In this latest case, CDPHE said people may have been exposed to measles if they were at:
- The Children’s Hospital Colorado emergency department between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Thursday, May 22; between 1:10 a.m. and 7:15 a.m. on Monday, May 26; and between 9:25 p.m. and 4:15 a.m. on Monday, May 26, into Tuesday, May 27;
- The Walgreens at 18461 E. Hampden Ave. in Aurora between 10 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. on Friday, May 23; and between 10 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. on Sunday, May 25;
- The Sam’s Club at 880 S. Abilene St. in Aurora between noon and 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 25; or
- The Natural Grocers at 3440 S. Tower Road in Aurora between 6 p.m. and 8:10 p.m. on Sunday, May 25.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known, and virus particles can linger in the air long after an infectious person leaves the room.
People who have been exposed may develop symptoms — starting with a fever, cough, runny nose or red eyes — seven to 21 days after exposure. That is then followed by the well-known rash that typically starts on the face before spreading to the rest of the body.
Those who may have been exposed in the current case should monitor themselves for symptoms and contact their doctor or a medical clinic by phone if they develop any symptoms. While much less common, people who have been vaccinated can still get measles. It is important to call ahead before seeking medical care to avoid exposing others.
Vaccination clinics
Health authorities consider vaccination with two doses of MMR vaccine to be the best way to prevent measles — and it can also be given after exposure to try to stop the virus from taking hold. People ages 1 year and up are typically eligible for vaccination, but the vaccine can in some circumstances be given to kids as young as 6 months.
The health departments in Adams and Arapahoe counties are holding two free vaccination clinics for people who may have been exposed in this latest case. Those clinics will be:
- At Adams County Public Health, 1401 W. 122nd Ave. #200 in Westminster, on Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and
- At Arapahoe County Public Health at Altura Plaza, 15400 E. 14th Place in Aurora, on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
More information can be found on the CDPHE website.