A trio of public health agencies and Denver International Airport are getting the word out about a potential exposure to measles at DIA and a church in Littleton.
An out-of-state traveler with a confirmed case of measles traveled through the airport, Saturday, Feb. 21. The person also attended a church service at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Littleton on Sunday, Feb. 22, while infectious, according to a press release.
The person arrived on Frontier flight 1279 from Miami at gate A83 at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday, and flew back on Frontier flight 1280 at Gate A76 at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday. Both those flights were from A Concourse.
Passengers who may have been exposed on the flights will be notified directly by their state or local public health agency, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Arapahoe County Public Health, Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, and Denver International Airport.
The passenger is fully vaccinated, so the transmission risk is lower but still possible.
On Sunday, Feb. 22, the person attended a church service and reception at St. Mary’s Catholic Church,at 6853 S. Prince St., in Littleton. Anyone who was at the church between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. may have been exposed and can seek free vaccinations beginning Wednesday morning at the church or local public health agency.
The potential exposure comes with measles spreading in the state and nationally at levels not seen in decades.
Colorado reported 36 measles cases in 2025, a sharp increase from previous years, when the state recorded at most just two cases annually.
Health officials confirmed at least 2,280 measles cases nationally last year, the most since the early 1990s.
Outbreaks in the U.S.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded 910 measles cases, with states like Florida and South Carolina managing large outbreaks.
“Take the vaccine, please. We have a solution for our problem,” said Dr. Mehmet Oz, who leads the U.S. Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services.
Measles is highly contagious and can sometimes lead to serious health problems. But it is a vaccine-preventable disease, according to the agencies. Symptoms start with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed by a rash that usually starts several days later on the face and spreads.
Getting vaccinated with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community, according to the agencies.
For those who have not been vaccinated against measles, getting the MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure may prevent the disease or reduce the severity of symptoms if they get sick. If you don’t know your MMR vaccination status, you can check your vaccine records through the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS) public portal.
Upcoming vaccination clinics
The Arapahoe County Public Health Department is offering free MMR vaccination clinics for exposed individuals. No appointment is necessary.
- Location: 4857 S. Broadway, Englewood, 80113
- Date and time: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Location: St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 6853 S. Prince St., Littleton, 80120
- Date and time: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 1 – 4 p.m.
Other resources
You can visit the CDPHE measles webpage to find out more. That includes information about symptoms, transmission, and vaccine recommendations, 2026 Colorado measles case information, and a current list of exposure locations.
