The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has confirmed a measles case in an international visitor with unknown vaccination status who traveled through the state, prompting public health officials to issue exposure alerts for multiple public locations across Boulder, Westminster, and Lafayette according to state release data published on Sept. 15, 2026.
Confirmed Measles Exposure Sites Across Metro Denver
State health officials have mapped out a timeline of locations visited by the infected traveler, spanning multiple days in early September. According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), anyone who visited these specific sites during the listed windows should monitor for illness:
- Avanti Food and Beverage Boulder (1401 Pearl St., first floor and rooftop): Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Symptoms may develop through Tuesday, Sept. 29.
- Gelato Boy West End (1021 Pearl St., streetfront): Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 9:30 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. Symptoms may develop through Tuesday, Sept. 29.
- Pearl Street Mall (1303 Pearl St., open air): Tuesday, Sept. 8, through Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 9:45 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Symptoms may develop through Wednesday, Sept. 30.
- Westin Hotel Westminster / Denver Gem and Mineral Show (10600 Westminster Blvd.): Wednesday, Sept. 9, from noon to 6 p.m., and Thursday, Sept. 10, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Symptoms may develop through Wednesday, Sept. 30, and Thursday, Oct. 1.
- Good Samaritan Hospital Emergency Department (200 Exempla Circle, Lafayette): Friday, Sept. 11, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Symptoms may develop through Friday, Oct. 2.
Recognizing Measles Symptoms and Monitoring Timelines
According to the state health department, symptoms typically begin with a fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. A characteristic rash usually appears several days later, starting on the face before spreading down the rest of the body.
Individuals who were present at any of the exposure locations during the specified dates and times should watch for symptoms for up to 21 days following their potential exposure. According to the CDPHE, careful monitoring is especially critical for people who have not received the MMR vaccine, particularly infants under one year of age who are not routinely recommended to receive the shot.
Pro Tip: Call Before Visiting Healthcare Facilities
If you suspect you have been exposed and are developing symptoms, do not delay seeking care, but call ahead. According to public health guidance, contacting your healthcare provider, urgent care, or emergency department before arriving allows staff to take precautions, protecting other patients and preventing further community spread.
What to Do If You Suspect Exposure
Anyone experiencing symptoms who visited the listed sites should immediately contact their healthcare provider for medical guidance. Patients are also instructed to report their symptoms to their local public health agency or reach out directly to the CDPHE at 720-653-3369, according to state directives.
Additional updates regarding newly identified exposure sites, transmission details, and vaccine recommendations are maintained on the official CDPHE measles webpage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can measles symptoms take to appear after exposure?
According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, individuals should monitor for symptoms for 21 days following an exposure event.
Who is most at risk following these exposure events?
Monitoring is critically important for individuals who have not been vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, particularly infants under one year of age who do not routinely receive the vaccine, according to state health officials.
What should I do if I visited one of the exposure sites during the listed times?
Watch for early symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. If symptoms develop, call your healthcare provider before visiting a clinic or hospital, and report the illness to your local public health agency or the CDPHE.
Stay Informed on Local Health Updates
Have you or someone you know visited the Pearl Street Mall or the Denver Gem and Mineral Show during these dates? Share your thoughts or local updates in the comments below, and check out our other community reporting for ongoing updates.
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