Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Legionella,Legionnaire's disease,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on February 19, 2026
Guests of the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch received an ominous note in the form of “guest communication,” regarding a serious illness linked to the hotel. According to missive, reports of Legionnaires’ disease have been connected to the facility.
In response to this situation, the hotel resort has made the decision to close the hot tubs while they cooperate with the Eagle County Public Health and Environment and Colorado County Public Health and Environment investigation.
Have you or a loved one stayed at this hotel or another in the Bachelor Gulch area and become sick? You may be part of a larger Legionnaires’ disease outbreak.
What is Legionnaires’ disease? Were Legionella bacteria found at the resort? Why are hot tubs an issue?
Here’s what we know so far about a possible Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch.
But first, what exactly is Legionnaires’ disease and is it contagious?
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by inhaling microscopic Legionella bacteria.
While these bacteria are naturally occurring is fresh water sources (lakes, streams, rivers, etc.), it becomes a big problem when they make their way into building water systems.
If these bacteria are allowed to grow, people can become sick.
Very sick!
This illness and the potential contamination responsible for spreading the bacteria are taken very seriously.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 20 people exposed to Legionella bacteria will become sick. An unfortunate 1 in 10 will die from their infection.
But fortunately, it is not contagious. Unlike other respiratory illnesses, Legionnaires’ disease is spread through inhaling airborne bacteria from water systems. Not from other people. Much like those naturally occurring water sources, person-to-person contact does not generally spread the illness.
According to a Guest Communication a Reddit user posted on the social platform, a notice was given to them in response to an investigation at the hotel resort.
“The safety of our guests and employees is always our top priority, and so we are sharing an important update,” explained the note.
“Eagle County Public Health and Environment and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPH) have notified us that they are investigating reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease with prior exposures to the Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch.”
In response to this discovery, the hotel resort is performing obligatory actions and cooperating with the state and county health departments to better understand the situation.
“Our team is fully cooperating with their investigation, which involves testing and culturing water samples from a number of sources withing the resort.”
According to the notice, the association between sick guests and the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch were not unfounded. Unfortunately, Legionella bacteria were found at the hotel. However, the exact location was not identified in the guest communication.
“At this point in the investigation, the source of the legionella exposure has not been conclusively identified but legionella bacteria have been identified at the resort.”
Legionella bacteria can spread through water systems in large buildings like hospitals, apartments, gyms, and hotels. Once the bacteria invade the space, it can be difficult to remediate. Preventative measures are employed in high-risk installations to reduce the risk of growing and spreading this harmful germ.
The actual source of bacterial contamination has not been indicated. However, there are some common sources of Legionnaires’ disease likely found at the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch resort.
Some of the common sources of Legionella bacteria include:
In this possible Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch Legionnaires’ disease outbreak, the hot tubs are a prime suspect.
Hot tubs are a big risk factor, when it comes to Legionnaires’ disease. Warm circulating water, fine mists, and potential lapses in cleaning protocols or inadequate concentration of disinfectants can lead to Legionnaires’ disease.
The guest communication explained that out of caution, the facility has made the decision to close off access to the hot tubs. Especially after discovering that at least some of the individuals with Legionnaires’ disease were connected to them.
“Because hot tubs are considered high-risk and individuals who reported illness spent time near them, we have temporarily closed the hot tubs.”
Not everyone who is exposed to Legionella bacteria will become sick. Most normally healthy individuals will not become infected. However, certain groups of people are at higher risk of infection if exposed.
Higher risk groups include:
While symptoms and severity can vary from person to person, symptoms may include:
Other Symptoms may include:
Most people begin feeling sick between two and 14 days after exposure. However, it can take longer for symptoms to appear in some cases.
If you begin experiencing symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease around two weeks after visiting, staying at, or working at Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch, there are a few things you should do.
Legionnaires’ disease can be treated with normal pneumonia treatments. However, accurate diagnosis is key for faster recovery.
If you begin experiencing symptoms, reach out to your healthcare provider right away. Notify them of your recent exposure risk to help expedite appropriate laboratory tests.
Specialized treatment protocols specifically for Legionella bacterial infections will aid in faster recovery and much better outcomes. The faster diagnosis is determined and treatment administered, the better your chances for full recovery.
Health officials may need more details to understand the entire situation. Are the cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Bachelor Gulch limited to the suspected Ritz-Carlton hotel. Or are there other area hotels with similar illnesses? Are there other overlapping factors between Legionnaires’ disease patients?
This information is often requested by local health authorities in the form of a list of places you have stayed or visited in the weeks prior to your illness.
It is a good idea to make this list as soon as you feel well enough to do so. This will help ensure it is as accurate as possible. If you have stayed at a hotel in Albuquerque, receipts and emails documenting your stay are also helpful to have on hand.
Legionnaires’ disease is a preventable illness. Simple routine maintenance keeps these harmful germs from growing and infecting those entering the facility. Even more importantly. This maintenance is required by health authorities.
Lapses in these safety protocols leave guests vulnerable to illness.
Medical bills, lost wages, and other burdens associated with Legionnaires’ disease add up. An experienced Legionnaires’ disease lawyer can help answer questions you may have about your situation and point you toward the resources you need. If you wish to make a legal claim, they can help you every step of the way.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has won millions of dollars in Legionnaire’s’ disease cases for families in situations just like yours.
If you or a family member has visited or stayed at Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch or another area hotel and have been impacted by Legionnaires’ disease, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Legionnaires’ disease lawyer that can help.
Call (833) 330-3663 or send an email for a free, no-obligation consultation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)