Colorado isn’t just a place to live, it’s a lifestyle. Whether you’re eyeing a loft in downtown Denver, a bungalow in Fort Collins, or a cabin in the Rockies, each community offers its own character and charm.
To support buyers across this diverse landscape, Colorado offers a wide range of down payment assistance (DPA) programs tailored to different regions, professions, and income levels. These programs come in many forms such as grants, deferred loans, and low-interest second mortgages. They are designed to make homeownership more accessible to Coloradans from all walks of life.
While this guide may not cover every single program, we’ve worked to highlight the most widely available and impactful options. We will continue to update this page as programs change over time.
Understanding AMI
Many down payment assistance programs have limits for the maximum amount of income applicants can earn. This is typically measured relative to area median income (AMI)
You can search for AMI by property address using Fannie Mae’s map tool.
For Example: You're applying to a DPA program that limits eligibility to applicants earning no more than 120% AMI. In the location where you're planning to purchase, AMI is $144,000. In this scenario, you can earn up to $172,800 and still qualify for assistance.
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Statewide and Multi-County Down Payment Assistance Programs
Colorado offers several statewide and regional DPA programs that serve a wide range of buyers, especially first-time homeowners and those with low-to-moderate incomes.
Colorado Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) Down Payment Assistance
The CHFA program pairs a CHFA first mortgage with either a grant or a deferred second mortgage. The grant equals the lesser of $25,000 or 3% of the first mortgage and does not require repayment. The second mortgage equals the lesser of $25,000 or 4% of the first mortgage, carries 0% interest, and requires no monthly payments. It becomes due when the first mortgage is paid off, the home is sold or refinanced, or the property is no longer the borrower’s primary residence.
Eligibility: Borrowers generally need a minimum 620 credit score, must meet CHFA income and purchase-price limits, complete approved homebuyer education, and contribute at least $1,000 toward the transaction.
CHFA Schools To Home
The CHFA Schools To Home program helps qualifying full-time employees of Colorado public pre-K through 12 schools. Assistance may equal up to 25% of the first mortgage and is structured as a 0% silent second mortgage with no monthly payments. It includes shared appreciation, with the proportional share defined in the loan documents, and becomes due at maturity or when the first mortgage is paid off, the home is sold or refinanced, or the property stops being the borrower’s primary residence.
Eligibility: The borrower must be a qualifying full-time public-school employee, use CHFA’s Fannie Mae HFA Preferred first mortgage, have a minimum 620 credit score, complete CHFA-approved homebuyer education and the Understanding Your Financial Commitment course, and contribute at least $1,000.
CHAC Down Payment Assistance Program
The Colorado Housing Assistance Corporation provides up to 6% of the lesser of the purchase price or appraised value, capped at $12,000. One option carries a 3% fixed rate and is amortized over 30 years. A second option has no payments and 0% interest for the first five years, followed by a 5% interest rate and monthly payments over the remaining 25 years.
Eligibility: Applicants must generally qualify as a first-time buyer, meet household income and other program limits, and complete homebuyer education and one-on-one counseling.
IDF FirstBank Down Payment Assistance Program
The IDF FirstBank DPA provides up to 20% of the purchase price, with a maximum loan of $30,000. The assistance is a 4% second mortgage amortized over 15 years, so borrowers make monthly payments.
Eligibility: Borrowers must be first-time buyers, generally earn no more than 80% AMI, and obtain the first mortgage through FirstBank.
Colorado Roots
The Colorado Roots program offers up to 10% of the purchase price, capped at $50,000, in participating Proposition 123 jurisdictions. The second mortgage carries a 1% fixed rate for borrowers at or below 100% AMI and a 2% fixed rate for borrowers from 101% to 120% AMI. It is repaid monthly over a term of up to 30 years and may become due earlier after a sale, transfer, refinance, end of occupancy, or the borrower’s death.
Eligibility: Applicants must be first-time or first-generation buyers with income from 50% to 120% AMI. The program uses conventional or eligible portfolio financing, not FHA, and requires a contribution equal to the greater of $1,000 or 1% of the purchase price. Liquid assets above $50,000 generally must be applied toward the purchase.
Dearfield Fund for Black Wealth
The Dearfield Fund provides up to 15% of the purchase price, capped at $50,000, for a home purchased anywhere in Colorado. The program uses a 15-year shared-equity second mortgage with no interest payments. If repaid within 18 months, only principal is due. After that period, repayment includes principal plus the lower of an 8% share or the program’s proportional share of appreciation.
Eligibility: Applicants must be first-time buyers who currently live in a Colorado census tract with median family income at or below 80% of the FFIEC area median. Household income may not exceed 140% of Denver Metro median family income, adjusted for a four-person household. The home price may not exceed $600,000, the borrower must invest at least 3%, and the first mortgage must be an eligible portfolio product rather than Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, or USDA financing.
Regional and County Down Payment Assistance Programs
Many counties in Colorado have their own DPA programs. These often offer generous terms for people who live or work in the area.
MetroDPA (Denver Metro Area)
The MetroDPA serves buyers across much of the Front Range. Assistance is calculated as a percentage of the first mortgage, with the available percentage depending on the loan product and borrower qualifications. It is a 0% deferred second mortgage with a 30-year term and no monthly payments. The loan becomes due after a sale, refinance, first-mortgage payoff, end of occupancy, or maturity. Denver Advantage and EDGE are targeted options offered within the broader metroDPA framework.
Eligibility: First-time buyer status is not required. Household income may be as high as $216,000, and the standard minimum credit score is 640, although some products may allow 620. Buyers must use a participating lender and an eligible first mortgage.
Pikes Peak DPA (El Paso County)
The Pikes Peak DPA offers up to 5% of the first mortgage amount for homes in El Paso County. The 0% second mortgage requires no monthly payments and has a 30-year term. Half of the assistance is forgiven in equal monthly increments over the first five years, while the remaining half is forgiven at the end of the 30-year term. Early repayment may be triggered by a sale, transfer, refinance, default, or the property no longer serving as the borrower’s primary residence. Eligible Hometown Heroes may also receive an additional 1% grant.
Eligibility: First-time buyer status is not required. Household income may not exceed $174,440, and minimum credit scores start at 640. Conventional borrowers with income at or below $90,720 may qualify for reduced mortgage insurance.
Broomfield Down Payment Assistance
The Broomfield DPA program offers up to 10% of the purchase price as a 0% simple-interest second mortgage. No monthly payments are required during the 30-year term, but the loan is not forgiven. It becomes due when the term expires or after a sale or transfer.
Eligibility: Applicants must be first-time or first-generation buyers purchasing in Broomfield, earn no more than 100% AMI, and contribute the greater of $1,000 or 1% of the purchase price.
Aurora Down Payment Assistance
The Aurora DPA program can provide 4% to 10% of the purchase price for a home within Aurora. Assistance is structured as a silent second mortgage with no monthly payments and becomes due after a sale, refinance, or first-mortgage payoff.
Eligibility: The property must be located within Aurora, and household income may not exceed 120% AMI.
NoCo Foundation Shared Equity Program
The NoCo Foundation program serves buyers in Larimer and Weld counties with assistance of up to 15% of the purchase price. The 30-year shared-equity second mortgage has no monthly payments. When the home is sold or transferred, the first mortgage is paid off, or the property is no longer owner-occupied, the borrower repays principal plus the program’s proportional share of appreciation.
Eligibility: Income may not exceed 120% AMI, the purchase price may not exceed $650,000, and applicants may not own another property. The program requires at least a 5% borrower investment, limits combined loan-to-value to 100% and debt-to-income to 45%, and uses conventional or eligible portfolio financing rather than FHA or VA.
Douglas County Housing Partnership
The Douglas County DPA programs offer two structures. The amortizing option provides $15,000 at 3% interest over 30 years with monthly payments. The shared-equity option provides up to 20% of the purchase price, capped at $41,000, as a deferred second mortgage for buyers using conventional financing. Shared-equity repayment is based on the program’s percentage interest in the home’s value when the property is sold or the loan is refinanced.
Eligibility: Applicants must generally be first-time buyers earning no more than 80% AMI, and preference may be given to people who live or work in Douglas County. The home must be a primary residence, may not exceed a $556,000 purchase price, and requires a borrower contribution equal to the greater of $1,000 or 1%.
Longmont and Boulder County Down Payment Assistance
The Longmont and Boulder County program offers up to 10% of the purchase price, capped at $40,000, for homes in Longmont and areas of Boulder County outside the City of Boulder. Borrowers earning from 61% to 80% AMI generally receive a 2% simple-interest loan with monthly payments over as long as 30 years. Borrowers below 60% AMI may receive a 0% deferred loan. Assistance becomes due after a sale, refinance, ownership change, or end of occupancy. Longmont also has local affordable-housing funding for households at or below 80% AMI and a Proposition 123 attainable-housing track for households up to 120% AMI.
Eligibility: Buyers must meet the applicable income and property requirements, complete homebuyer education and counseling, and contribute the greater of $2,000 or 1% of the purchase price. Liquid assets are generally limited to $50,000.
Eagle County Down Payment Assistance
The Housing Eagle County programs include four different structures. The Eagle County Loan Fund shared-equity option provides up to 5% for conventional, USDA Rural Development, or VA loans on homes priced up to $850,000. It has no monthly payments for 30 years and requires principal only if repaid within 24 months, then principal plus a share of appreciation. The FHA option provides up to 5%, capped at $42,500, as a 15-year loan at 2.5% with monthly payments; borrowers must contribute at least half of the assistance amount or $3,000, whichever is greater.
The Eagle Ranch program offers up to $10,000, requires at least $3,000 from the buyer, and carries 2.5% simple interest that accrues until a balloon payment is due after 15 years. The Eagle County Department of Housing option provides up to 4.5%, capped at $40,000, for households at or below 80% AMI. It is a 30-year amortizing loan at 2.5%, with a possible payment deferral for the first 60 months.
Eligibility: Requirements vary by option and include household income, first-mortgage, property-location, borrower-contribution, and owner-occupancy rules. Buyers should compare all four structures with a participating lender before selecting one.
Summit County Down Payment Assistance
The Summit County lending program offers loans from $1,000 to $40,000 at 2% interest. Assistance is provided at a 2-to-1 ratio based on the buyer’s contribution, must equal less than 30% of the overall financing, and is repaid monthly over 10 to 20 years depending on the loan amount.
Eligibility: Household income must be above 50% AMI and may not exceed 160% AMI. At least one household member must work at least 30 hours per week on an annual basis in or in service to Summit County, the property must be located in Summit County, and the buyer must contribute at least 2% of the purchase price.
Yampa Valley Housing Authority
The YVHA buyer programs include countywide and Proposition 123 options. The countywide program provides up to 10% of the purchase price, capped at $20,000. Its 15-year second mortgage carries a fixed rate equal to the Wall Street Journal prime rate minus 2%, requires no monthly payments, and accrues interest until a balloon payment becomes due.
The Proposition 123 program also offers up to 10%, from $5,000 to $20,000, as a 0% second mortgage with no monthly payments and a 15-year term. Both may become due after a sale, transfer, refinance, end of occupancy, or other specified event.
Eligibility: The countywide option requires a Routt County home, no ownership of other real estate, at least 1,650 work hours per year in the county, and income no higher than 150% AMI. The Proposition 123 option serves first-time buyers, prioritizes first-generation buyers, limits income to 50% through 120% AMI, and applies in Steamboat Springs, Hayden, Oak Creek, and Yampa.
HomesFund
The HomesFund mortgage assistance program serves southwest Colorado with shared-appreciation second mortgages that can range from $15,000 to more than $100,000, depending on income and county. The 30-year loans require no monthly payments. After a resale, transfer, cash-out refinance, or end of occupancy, the borrower repays principal plus a proportional share of appreciation.
HomesFund also administers employer-focused options. Fort Lewis College employees may receive the lesser of $70,000 or 20% of the purchase price, while eligible Purgatory Resort employees may receive the lesser of $70,000 or 17%. Both generally serve households up to 150% AMI and have employment-tenure and property-location requirements.
Eligibility: Applicants must buy within an eligible southwest Colorado service area and meet the income, first-mortgage, owner-occupancy, education, and other requirements for the specific HomesFund product.
Housing Resources of Western Colorado
The Housing Resources homebuyer program offers 0% second-mortgage assistance in Mesa, Montrose, Delta, and Garfield counties. The loan requires no monthly payments and becomes due when the first mortgage is paid off, the home is sold, or the property is no longer the borrower’s primary residence. Assistance amounts depend on the borrower, property, location, and available program funds.
Eligibility: Buyers must complete the agency’s intake and education process and meet applicable household income, first-mortgage, property, and owner-occupancy requirements.
Southeast Colorado Enterprise Development
The SECED Proposition 123 program offers up to 10% of the purchase price, capped at $55,000, in Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, and Prowers counties. The second mortgage carries a 1% fixed rate for borrowers at or below 100% AMI and a 2% fixed rate for borrowers from 101% to 120% AMI. It is repaid monthly over a term of up to 30 years and may become due earlier after a sale, transfer, refinance, first-mortgage payoff, end of occupancy, or the borrower’s death.
Eligibility: Applicants must be first-time buyers earning no more than 120% AMI and purchasing an eligible primary residence in one of the participating counties. The program uses conventional or eligible portfolio financing, not FHA, and requires a contribution equal to the greater of $1,000 or 1% of the purchase price.
Down Payment Assistance Programs by City
Individual cities often have their own programs, sometimes offering help beyond what the state provides.
City of Boulder H2O Program
The House to Homeownership (H2O) Program provides up to $100,000 for a market-rate home within Boulder. The 0% shared-appreciation loan is deferred for 30 years with no monthly payments. When it becomes due, the borrower repays the original principal plus the city’s proportional share of appreciation.
Eligibility: Applicants must be first-time buyers, have worked within the City of Boulder for at least one year, earn no more than 120% AMI, and contribute at least $2,000.
City of Glenwood Springs Down Payment Assistance Program
The City of Glenwood Springs Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to 20% of the purchase price, capped at $100,000, as a deferred shared-appreciation loan. No monthly payments are required during the 30-year term. If the loan is repaid within 24 months, only principal is due; after that, repayment includes principal plus a share of appreciation. The loan may become due after a sale, transfer, first-mortgage payoff, or end of occupancy.
Eligibility: Applicants must be first-time buyers, with priority for first-generation buyers, earn from 50% to 120% AMI, and purchase within the city limits. The program requires the greater of $1,000 or 1% from the borrower and uses conventional or eligible portfolio financing rather than FHA.
Other Down Payment Assistance Programs
Here are some other helpful resources and programs that may assist with down payment costs. These programs are still active and available in Colorado, but weren’t featured above.
Statewide and Multi-County Programs
Regional and County Programs
City Programs
Buying With DPA in Colorado
Homeownership in Colorado is more than just a purchase, it’s an opportunity to become part of a dynamic and diverse community. With an array of down payment assistance programs available across the state, buyers can find options that align with their goals, lifestyle, and location. Whether you’re settling in a mountain town, a city center, or somewhere in between, these resources are designed to support your next move.
Take time to review current mortgage rates and use our loan calculators to plan confidently for your next step in Colorado homeownership.
Check with the organization directly for the most recent guidelines. While programs were fact-checked at the time of writing, requirements change often, and programs become unavailable when funds are exhausted.
