Colorado Summer Camps Face New Measles Guidelines as State's Outdoor Programs Prepare for Season

Colorado's beloved summer camps, from the Rocky Mountain peaks to the Front Range foothills, are implementing stricter health protocols as the CDC issues urgent guidance requiring camps to verify measles immunity for all campers and staff amid a nationwide surge in cases.

For Colorado families preparing to send their children to the state's numerous outdoor adventure camps, science programs, and traditional summer camps, this means additional documentation will be required before drop-off day. The new measures come as national measles cases have reached 1,197 infections in 2025, approaching the 2019 record of 1,274 cases.

Impact on Local Camp Operations

Colorado's outdoor education sector, which serves thousands of families from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins each summer, must now:

• Verify vaccination records or proof of immunity for all participants
• Prepare isolation spaces for potential cases
• Stock protective equipment including face masks
• Make decisions about accepting unvaccinated campers

"Measles can spread quickly in summer camps because campers and staff spend a lot of time together in close contact with each other. Measles is more than just a rash — it can cause serious complications or even death," the CDC warns.

Protecting Colorado's Youth

The guidance is particularly crucial for Colorado's robust summer camp industry, where children often gather in close-quarter cabins and participate in group activities. According to CDC data, approximately two-thirds of this year's confirmed measles cases have affected children and teenagers.

Local camp directors are working closely with Colorado health officials to implement these guidelines while maintaining the outdoor experiences that make Colorado camps unique. Many of the state's most popular programs, from Pike National Forest to Rocky Mountain National Park, are updating their registration processes to include immunity verification.

What Colorado Parents Need to Know

For Colorado families planning summer camp activities, health experts recommend:

• Gathering vaccination records early
• Consulting with healthcare providers about immunity status
• Understanding camp-specific policies regarding unvaccinated participants
• Monitoring children for symptoms before camp attendance

The new requirements come at a critical time as Colorado's summer camp industry, which contributes significantly to the state's outdoor recreation economy, prepares for another busy season of hosting young adventurers from across the state and beyond.

This article contains AI-generated content and reflects opinion only. Readers are encouraged to verify all information independently before drawing conclusions or making decisions.