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| source : denverpost.com |
I’ve been tracking health alerts across the country lately, and Colorado is currently on my radar. The state has just logged 12 cases of measles this year, which might not sound huge, but it’s the most in nearly three decades. And because measles is crazy contagious, public health officials are now tracing possible exposure sites in places you might not expect: grocery stores, gas stations, hospitals, even a Trader Joe’s.
So let’s talk honestly about what’s going on, what it means if you were in one of these spots, and how you can protect yourself and your loved ones, especially if you’re immunocompromised, unvaccinated, or traveling with kids.
Why Measles Is a Big Deal (Even If You’re Vaccinated)
Measles isn’t just a rash and a fever. It can lead to serious complications, pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), and in some cases, death. And get this: the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room.
Even if you’re fully vaccinated (with two doses of the MMR vaccine), it’s worth staying alert. The vaccine is about 97% effective, but that still means a small risk remains, especially if you’re exposed in crowded places or have a weakened immune system.
Key Colorado Exposure Sites (By Date + Location)
Health officials have released a list of potential exposure sites tied to recent measles cases. If you were at any of these locations during the times below, you should monitor for symptoms until the dates listed, and call your provider before showing up if you feel sick.
Symptoms to Watch: Fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, followed by a rash (often starting on the face) about 4 days after symptoms begin.
Medical Facilities
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Children’s Hospital Colorado ER (Aurora)
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May 22, 6–10 PM
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May 26, 1:10–7:15 AM & 9:25 PM – 4:15 AM (May 27)
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Watch for symptoms through June 17
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🛒 Grocery & Retail Stores
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Walgreens (18461 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora)
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May 23 & May 25, 10 AM – 12:10 PM
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Watch through June 15
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Sam’s Club (880 S. Abilene St., Aurora)
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May 25, 12–3:30 PM
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Watch through June 15
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Natural Grocers (3440 S. Tower Rd., Aurora)
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May 25, 6–8:10 PM
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Watch through June 15
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Trader Joe’s (661 Logan St., Denver)
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May 29, 9:30–11:40 AM
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Watch through June 19
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King Soopers (1750 W. Uintah St., Colorado Springs)
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May 31, 8:30 AM – 12:45 PM
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Watch through June 21
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King Soopers (1520 Main St., Windsor)
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May 31, 10:30 AM – 1:15 PM
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Watch through June 21
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Target (4301 E. Virginia Ave., Glendale)
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June 2, 9:20–11:50 PM
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Watch through June 23
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⛽ Gas Stations & Restaurants
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Love’s Travel Stop / Carl’s Jr. (Grand Junction)
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May 27, 6–10 PM
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Watch through June 17
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Maverick Gas Station (Colorado Springs)
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May 28, 9–11:30 AM
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Watch through June 18
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Single Barrel Bar and Grill (Colorado Springs)
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May 30, 6–11:30 PM
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Watch through June 20
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What Should You Do If You Were There?
Here’s the simple checklist:
✅ Monitor symptoms for 21 days from your exposure date
✅ Call ahead before visiting any clinic or ER if you have symptoms
✅ Isolate yourself if you suspect you’re infected, measles spreads before the rash even shows up
✅ Check your vaccination status, if you’re unsure, a blood test can confirm immunity
If you’re immunocompromised, pregnant, or have unvaccinated children, talk to your doctor about preventative options like immunoglobulin (a kind of temporary antibody protection).
My Take
As someone who’s been covering public health for a while now, I’m seeing the same pattern repeat: vaccine-preventable diseases making a comeback because of decreased vaccination rates and misinformation. It’s a frustrating reminder that individual decisions do ripple out into community health.
The good news? If we stay informed, act quickly, and keep lines of communication open with healthcare providers, we can prevent this from turning into something worse.