Montezuma County Public Health Department

106 West North Street

Cortez, CO 81321

For Immediate Release

December 15, 2025

The Montezuma County Public Health Department, in coordination with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), has confirmed two additional measles cases in Montezuma County residents.  The new cases are unvaccinated household contacts of a previously confirmed case. Both individuals have been in quarantine during their infectious period, so there are no known public exposure locations associated with these two cases. 

This brings the total of confirmed measles cases in Montezuma County to four.

In addition, CDPHE has detected measles virus in wastewater samples from the Cortez Sanitation District on December 9 and 11. People infected with the measles virus may shed the virus in their urine before a rash appears and for several weeks after their rash appears, even though they are only contagious for four days before and four days after rash onset. A wastewater detection indicates that one or more people with a recent measles infection have been in the area. CDPHE activated the Cortez Sanitation District as an emergency surveillance site after previous cases were confirmed in Montezuma County.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can spread easily through coughing, sneezing, and close contact—often before people even realize they are sick. Symptoms of measles usually appear 7–14 days after exposure and may include high fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes, and a red, blotchy rash that typically starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

Measles can lead to serious complications, especially in infants, young children, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems. Complications may include pneumonia, hospitalization, and, in severe cases, death.

The best protection against measles is vaccination. The MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is safe, effective, and has been used for decades to protect individuals and communities.

The Montezuma County Public Health Department advises you to know your vaccination status and ensure you and your family are up to date.  If you’re unsure whether you’ve been vaccinated, talk with your healthcare provider or the health department.  Consider vaccination to protect yourself, family, and friends, and help prevent the spread of measles to others who may be more vulnerable.

Staying informed and vaccinated helps keep our community healthy and safe.

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For more information, contact:

Vicki Shaffer

Public Information Coordinator

Montezuma County

Direct: (970) 564-2736

Cell: (970) 759-8975

Email: pio@co.montezuma.co.us

www.montezumacounty.org