Colorado Parents Consider Early Measles Vaccination After New Cases

Broomfield High School reports two unvaccinated students with measles, prompting concerns and action from parents.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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After two unvaccinated students at Broomfield High School in Colorado were reported to have measles, the Boulder Valley School District says 26 out of 1,669 students are on the exclusion list and not allowed to attend class. Parents like Jennifer Ditton are now planning to get their children vaccinated earlier than originally scheduled, concerned about potential exposure, especially for their youngest child who is not yet fully vaccinated.

Why it matters

Measles is a highly contagious disease that can have serious complications, especially for young children. The recent cases at Broomfield High School highlight the importance of vaccination rates in preventing the spread of measles and protecting vulnerable populations.

The details

The Boulder Valley School District, along with health partners, is telling unvaccinated students to stay home during the quarantine period due to possible exposure. Broomfield mom Jennifer Ditton, who has other children in the district, is concerned about her preschooler who is still too young to be fully vaccinated. Multiple pediatricians' offices in the area are seeing more requests for early measles shots, and doctors like Dr. Michelle Barron at UC Health are having conversations with patients about the importance of the vaccine.

  • In the current school year, Broomfield High School reported two unvaccinated students with measles.
  • Last school year, state data shows Broomfield High School as being 98.5% compliant with required vaccinations.

The players

Jennifer Ditton

A Broomfield mom with children in the Boulder Valley School District, concerned about potential measles exposure, especially for her preschooler who is not yet fully vaccinated.

Dr. Michelle Barron

The senior medical director of infection prevention at UC Health, who is having conversations with patients about the importance of the measles vaccine.

Boulder Valley School District

The school district that is working with health partners to address the measles cases at Broomfield High School, including telling unvaccinated students to stay home during the quarantine period.

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What they’re saying

“I feel like measles is a disease that should not be here anymore. Vaccines are so effective, I'm surprised that we're still dealing with it now.”

— Jennifer Ditton, Broomfield mom (CBS News Colorado)

“We have definitely had individuals coming in with rashes that measles comes up as, 'could this be measles?' And this is where we do our consultation. It was just a matter of time that we started to see more cases in Colorado.”

— Dr. Michelle Barron, Senior medical director of infection prevention, UC Health (CBS News Colorado)

“[The vaccine has] been around for 50, 60 years, it's very safe. The data associated with autism has been debunked, and I think the potential risk of getting measles is actually worse than the vaccine.”

— Dr. Michelle Barron, Senior medical director of infection prevention, UC Health (CBS News Colorado)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.