Colorado: Your Gateway to International Travel Health
A complete guide for Colorado-based travelers preparing for international trips — vaccines, regulations, clinics, and expert resources across the state.
Colorado & International Travel Health
Colorado, the Centennial State, is celebrated for its breathtaking Rocky Mountain scenery, outdoor adventure culture, and thriving cities of Denver, Colorado Springs, and Boulder — and it is also home to a robust and expanding network of travel health services for the hundreds of thousands of Coloradans who travel internationally each year. Whether you are departing from Denver International Airport (one of the busiest hubs in the country), Colorado Springs Airport, or driving to connect via a neighboring state, your health preparation begins right here in Colorado.
For U.S. travelers heading abroad, understanding Colorado's vaccine regulations, the routine immunization schedule, and where to find specialized travel medicine clinics is essential. This guide brings together everything you need to know before you board that international flight.
Healthcare in Colorado for Travelers
Colorado offers exceptional infrastructure for pre-travel healthcare preparation. The state is served by nationally ranked academic medical centers, a network of county and local public health agencies, and private travel health chains that collectively make it straightforward for residents to obtain vaccinations and medical consultations before any international trip.
State Health Authority
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) oversees immunization regulations through its Immunization Section. It maintains the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS) and certifies yellow fever vaccination providers across the state.
Academic Travel Medicine
The UCHealth Travel Clinic in the Denver metro area is one of the largest and most comprehensive travel health clinics in the Rocky Mountain region, staffed by infectious disease and travel medicine specialists offering same-week appointments and on-site vaccine stock.
Private Travel Clinics
Passport Health operates CDC-certified travel vaccine clinics in Denver and Colorado Springs. Both locations are designated yellow fever immunization centers and carry a broad inventory of travel vaccines including Japanese encephalitis and rabies.
Vaccine Regulations in Colorado
Colorado's vaccine regulations are governed primarily by the Colorado School Immunization Law (C.R.S. § 25-4-901 et seq.) and the Colorado Board of Health Rules, administered by CDPHE. Here is what travelers — and parents of young travelers — need to understand.
School Entry Requirements
Under Colorado law (C.R.S. § 25-4-901), every child attending a public or private school or licensed child care must provide proof of immunization. Children entering kindergarten must have DTaP, Polio, MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis A. Children entering 6th grade must additionally have the Tdap booster and MenACWY. Requirements apply from preschool through 12th grade.
Exemptions Permitted
Colorado grants exemptions for medical and non-medical (personal belief) grounds. As of 2021 legislation (HB21-1288), parents or guardians seeking a non-medical exemption must complete an online education module through CDPHE before the exemption is filed. Medical exemptions require a licensed physician's certificate. Both are accepted in lieu of the standard immunization certificate.
Vaccine Choice Provisions
Colorado does not mandate vaccines for adults in workplaces or for businesses to require of customers. Higher education institutions may set their own immunization policies. The state's public health infrastructure encourages voluntary vaccination through CIIS and county health outreach programs while respecting individual choice for adults outside of school-entry settings.
Routine Vaccines for Children in Colorado
Colorado's childhood immunization schedule follows the CDC/ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) recommended schedule. The CDPHE Immunization Section actively promotes adherence to the schedule, noting that children under age 5 are especially vulnerable because their immune systems have not yet built adequate defenses against vaccine-preventable diseases.
| Vaccine | Disease(s) Prevented | Typical Schedule | Notes for Travelers |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTaP / Tdap | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis | 5 doses by age 6; Tdap booster at 11–12 | Pertussis cases are rising globally; confirm current status before travel |
| Polio (IPV) | Poliomyelitis | 4 doses by age 4–6 | Booster may be required for travel to polio-active countries |
| MMR | Measles, Mumps, Rubella | 2 doses: 12–15 months & 4–6 years | Measles is endemic in many travel destinations; confirm 2 doses |
| Varicella | Chickenpox | 2 doses: 12–15 months & 4–6 years | Required for Colorado school entry; confirms protection abroad |
| Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B virus | 3-dose series: birth, 1–2 months, 6–18 months | Especially important for destinations with high HBV prevalence |
| Hepatitis A | Hepatitis A virus | 2 doses starting at 12–23 months | Required for Colorado K–entry; high priority for travel to areas with poor sanitation |
| Hib | Haemophilus influenzae type b | 3–4 doses by 15 months | Standard childhood protection; confirm up to date before travel |
| PCV (Pneumococcal) | Pneumococcal disease, pneumonia | 4 doses by 15 months | Protects against pneumonia globally — relevant for all international trips |
| Rotavirus | Severe diarrheal disease | 2–3 doses by 8 months | Particularly relevant when traveling to developing countries |
| MenACWY (Meningococcal) | Meningococcal disease A, C, W, Y | 11–12 years; booster at 16 | Required for travel to Africa's meningitis belt & Saudi Arabia (Hajj); now a CO 6th-grade requirement |
| HPV | Human Papillomavirus / cervical cancer | 2–3 doses starting at age 11–12 | CDPHE actively promotes via school-based vaccination outreach programs |
| Influenza | Seasonal influenza | Annually from 6 months of age | Flu seasons differ by hemisphere; timing matters for international travel |
| COVID-19 | COVID-19 | From 6 months; updated annually | 2024–2025 updated vaccine recommended by CDC; some countries may require documentation |
Routine Vaccines for Adults in Colorado
📍 Colorado Travel Health Centers & Major Hospitals
Click any marker to view details and get Google Maps directions. Orange = Travel Health Clinic | Blue = Major Hospital
Vaccine protection from childhood series can wane over time, and adults face different risk profiles. The CDPHE and CDC recommend a range of vaccines for adults on a routine basis — especially important to review and update before any international trip.
Td / Tdap Booster
Every adult should receive a Td booster every 10 years. If not vaccinated with Tdap as an adolescent, one Tdap dose should replace a Td dose. Particularly important for travelers to developing countries where wound exposure is higher.
Every 10 yearsInfluenza (Annual)
The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for all adults. The 2024–2025 updated vaccine is available at pharmacies and CDPHE-affiliated health agencies statewide. Note that flu seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere — timing matters for travel.
AnnualCOVID-19 (Updated)
The updated 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax) is recommended for all adults 6 months and older. Available at CVS, Walgreens, King Soopers, and county health agencies across Colorado. Some countries may still require proof for entry.
Updated annuallyHepatitis A & B
Adults not vaccinated in childhood should complete the Hepatitis A (2-dose) and Hepatitis B (3-dose) series. Both are high priority for international travelers, especially those visiting areas with poor sanitation or high HBV prevalence.
Catch-up seriesMeningococcal
MenACWY is recommended for adults at risk and required for travelers to the meningitis belt of Africa and for Hajj/Umrah in Saudi Arabia. MenB is recommended for adults at increased risk and some college-age travelers — particularly relevant for University of Colorado and CSU students traveling abroad.
Risk-basedPneumococcal & Shingles
Adults 50+ should receive the shingles vaccine (Shingrix) as a 2-dose series. Pneumococcal vaccines (PCV15 or PCV20) are recommended for adults 65+ or younger adults with specific health conditions, providing protection against pneumonia globally.
Age 50+The Three Categories of Travel Vaccines
Travel vaccines fall into three distinct categories. Understanding the difference is essential when preparing for your trip from Colorado. Your travel health provider will assess all three during your pre-travel consultation.
| Travel Vaccine | Category | Key Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | Required | Sub-Saharan Africa, tropical South America | Colorado has certified YF vaccination centers; requires ICVP Yellow Card stamp |
| Typhoid | Recommended | South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America | Oral or injectable; available at all major Colorado travel clinics |
| Japanese Encephalitis | Recommended | Rural Asia, Southeast Asia | 2-dose series; available at Passport Health Denver and UCHealth travel clinics |
| Rabies (pre-exposure) | Recommended | Asia, Africa, Latin America (remote areas) | 3-dose series; advisable for adventure travelers or those working with animals |
| Cholera (Vaxchora) | Recommended | Sub-Saharan Africa, South/Southeast Asia, Haiti | Single oral dose for adults; confirm availability with your travel clinic |
| Meningococcal ACWY | Required / Recommended | Meningitis Belt (Africa), Saudi Arabia (Hajj/Umrah) | Required for Hajj; strongly recommended for sub-Saharan Africa travel |
| Hepatitis A | Recommended | Developing countries worldwide | High priority for most international destinations; 2-dose series |
| Malaria Prophylaxis | Prescription Rx | Sub-Saharan Africa, South/Southeast Asia, Central America | Not a vaccine — prescription medication available from Colorado travel clinics |
Main Travel Health & Vaccine Centers in Colorado
Colorado residents have access to both nationally ranked academic medical centers and specialized private travel clinics. Below are the principal facilities providing travel health services and vaccinations across the state, as listed by CDPHE and verified travel health sources.
Denver / Aurora Metro
1635 Aurora Court, Aurora, CO 80045
(720) 848-0000 | Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The leading travel health clinic in the Rocky Mountain region, staffed by infectious disease and travel medicine specialists at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. All vaccines stocked on site. Offers individualized pre- and post-travel consultations, tropical disease diagnosis, malaria prophylaxis prescriptions, and detailed travel health education.
950 S Cherry St, Suite 910, Denver, CO 80246
(303) 759-5700 / 1-888-909-6551
A CDC-designated yellow fever immunization center carrying a wide inventory of travel vaccines. Itinerary-specific consultations available. Conveniently located in the Cherry Creek area of Denver.
601 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203 | (303) 436-7000
Public health travel vaccine clinic offering required and recommended international travel vaccinations at accessible costs for all Denver-area travelers. Walk-in options sometimes available.
Colorado Springs / Southern Colorado
1975 Research Pkwy, Suite 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
(719) 272-6520
Serving the Colorado Springs and Southern Colorado region. Full inventory of travel vaccines with destination-specific consultation services.
1400 E Boulder St, Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 365-5000
UCHealth-affiliated travel health provider at Southern Colorado's Level I trauma center. Infectious disease consultations and travel vaccine services available by appointment.
Fort Collins / Northern Colorado
1024 S Lemay Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524
(970) 495-7000
Northern Colorado's major travel health and infectious disease resource, serving Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, and the greater Poudre Valley region. Travel vaccine appointments available through the UCHealth system.
1525 Blue Spruce Dr, Fort Collins, CO 80524 | (970) 498-6700
Public health immunization services including travel vaccines for Larimer County residents. Contact directly to confirm travel vaccine availability and appointment requirements.
Pre-Travel Health Checklist for Colorado Travelers
Follow this step-by-step timeline to ensure you are properly protected before departing from Colorado on an international trip.
| Timeframe | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 6+ Weeks Before | Book a travel health consultation | Contact UCHealth, Passport Health, or your county health agency. Research destination vaccine requirements at CDC Travelers' Health. |
| At Your Visit | Bring your vaccination records | Receive required and recommended vaccines. Get prescriptions for malaria prophylaxis if needed. Request your Yellow Card if yellow fever is required for your destination. |
| Follow-Up Visits | Complete multi-dose series | Rabies pre-exposure (3 doses), Hepatitis A (2 doses), and Japanese Encephalitis (2 doses) require multiple visits spaced weeks apart. |
| 1–2 Weeks Before | Confirm all travel health documents | Ensure your ICVP (Yellow Card) is properly stamped, signed, and dated. Pack a travel health kit: ORS packets, antidiarrheal medication, insect repellent (DEET 30%+), sunscreen, and altitude medication if relevant. |
| On Return | Monitor for illness symptoms | If you develop fever, rash, diarrhea, or unusual symptoms within weeks of return, contact UCHealth Travel Clinic immediately and mention your travel history and destinations. |
Ready to Travel from Colorado?
Start your travel health preparation at least 4–6 weeks before departure. Colorado's clinics are ready to protect you for wherever your journey takes you.
This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider for personalized travel health advice. Information current as of 2025–2026.