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Broomfield public health reports two measles cases tied to Broomfield High School; officials urge vaccination and caution
Summary
Broomfield public-health officials confirmed two measles cases with primary exposure at Broomfield High School and coordinated a multi-jurisdictional response; both cases were unvaccinated. Public-health director Jason Balling said close contacts without immunity must quarantine 21 days and urged residents to get MMR shots.
Broomfield’s public-health department reported two confirmed measles cases on March 3, 2026, and said both individuals attended Broomfield High School, making the school the primary exposure site.
"We have two cases — one Broomfield resident and one Adams County resident — and both are unvaccinated," Jason Balling, director of public health, told the City and County of Broomfield council. Balling said public-health investigators identified nine additional exposure locations across Adams, Boulder, Jefferson and Broomfield counties, creating a coordinated, multi-jurisdictional response led by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
Balling said the department activated its public-health emergency operations plan and established an incident command structure carried over from COVID-19 work. Investigators are notifying potentially exposed individuals and identifying those without documented immunity. "Nonimmune close contacts who cannot receive postexposure prophylaxis must quarantine at home for 21 days following exposure," Balling said.
Officials emphasized that measles is highly contagious and can cause severe complications in young children, pregnant people and immunocompromised residents. Balling told the council that individuals who have received the full MMR vaccine have about 97% protection and that Broomfield’s school vaccination rates — reported in the presentation at roughly 95–97% — provide some community protection.
The department urged residents who are not up to date on MMR vaccination to get vaccinated now. Balling also advised anyone who develops symptoms to call their healthcare provider or public-health agency before visiting an emergency department or urgent care to prevent further exposure.
The public-health team is coordinating press releases and FAQs with CDPHE and school partners and continues contact tracing to determine dates, times and locations of exposure. Officials said more information will be posted to Broomfield news flashes and CDPHE guidance pages as investigations proceed.
Council members thanked public-health staff for rapid coordination and asked whether adults’ vaccination data were available; Balling said school records provide high-quality coverage rates, while adult immunization data are less complete in registries and are still being compiled.
