Down payment assistance in Colorado
Get help with your down payment and closing costs
Colorado has statewide and local programs — grants, forgivable loans and deferred second mortgages — that can cover part or all of your upfront costs if you qualify.
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How assistance works
Programs differ in how much they provide and whether it's ever repaid.
Grants
Forgivable loans
Closing cost help
Pairs with your loan
Colorado programs
Amounts and terms are set by each program and change periodically.
- CHFA grant
- Up to 3% of the first mortgage, max $25,000, with no repayment. A higher first-mortgage rate applies. First-generation buyers and buyers with permanent disabilities can get up to $25,000 regardless of the percentage.
- CHFA second mortgage
- Up to 4% of the first mortgage, max $25,000, repaid when you sell, refinance, pay off the first loan or move out.
- Denver metro programs
- Assistance for buyers in the Denver metro area, often as a forgivable second mortgage.
- County programs
- Adams, Arapahoe, Jefferson and other counties offer local assistance.
- City programs
- Denver, Aurora, Lakewood and other cities have buyer assistance programs.
General eligibility
Requirements vary by program. All loans are subject to credit approval.
- First-time buyer status for some programs, such as CHFA FirstStep; others are open to repeat buyers
- Minimum 620 mid-score for CHFA; local programs vary
- Household income within the program's limits for your county
- The home must be your primary residence
- A homebuyer education course (required for CHFA; often available online)
- The purchase price must be within program limits
Down payment assistance questions
CHFA (Colorado Housing and Finance Authority) is the main statewide source; see the Colorado programs above. Many counties and cities run their own programs too.
It depends on the program. Grants don't need to be repaid, though CHFA's grant comes with a higher first-mortgage rate. Forgivable second mortgages are forgiven after you live in the home for a set period. Deferred-payment second mortgages are repaid when you sell, refinance or move out. We'll explain the repayment terms of each program you qualify for before you choose.
CHFA income limits vary by program, county and household size. For example, the CHFA SmartStep statewide limit was $174,440 in 2026. Some local programs have lower limits. Limits change, so we'll confirm the current ones for your county and household.
Yes. Most Colorado DPA programs are designed to pair with an FHA, conventional or VA first mortgage. For example, an FHA loan with 3.5% down could be paired with assistance that covers some or all of that down payment. We'll structure the combination that fits your situation, subject to program and credit approval.
Not always. CHFA FirstStep is limited to first-time buyers (no ownership in the past three years), qualified veterans, or buyers in targeted areas, while CHFA SmartStep is open to repeat buyers. Local programs set their own rules.
Find out which programs you qualify for
Get pre-approved and Andrew will check the statewide and local assistance available for your income, county and purchase price.