A Guide to Colorado's Local Down Payment Assistance Programs
Last update 1/14/2026
These programs can only be handled by approved lenders. You should have enough information here to be able to go it alone, but if you would like help from a local realtor familiar with the programs and a lender with access, fill out this form here and I will connect you with one.
How Down Payment Assistance Works
I need to give a quick overview of how down payment assistance works. After that, the programs are listed.
With down payment assistance, you'll run into two different types:
- A grant
- A loan
A Grant
If we meet the qualifications up front, then it's money that does not need to be repaid.
A Loan
If the down payment assistance comes in the form of a loan, then pay attention to the three different types:
- Repayable
- Deferred
- Forgivable
Repayable is just as most imagine. It charges interest over a certain amount of time, with monthly payments until it's paid off.
Deferred loans usually don't require a monthly payment, and typically don't charge interest. It's due in full when you refinance, sell the home, or when it ceases to be your primary residence.
Forgivable loans will disappear if you meet the criteria, which usually comes down to keeping the home as your primary residence for a specific amount of time.
Okay with that, here are the programs!
Colorado
Metro Down Payment Assistance Program
- What It Offers: Provides grants up to 5% of the loan amount.
- Who Qualifies: Homebuyers purchasing within participating metro areas.
- Income Limits: Based on area median income (AMI).
- Repayment: No repayment required if conditions are met.
- Forgiven after 3 years of occupancy
- Website: http://www.metrodpa.org/
Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) Down Payment Assistance
- Assistance:
- Down Payment Assistance Grant: Up to 3% of the first mortgage loan amount. Does not require repayment.
- Second Mortgage Loan: Up to 4% of the first mortgage loan amount as a 0% interest, deferred-payment loan, repayable upon sale or refinance.
- Eligibility: Must meet income and credit requirements and complete a CHFA-approved homebuyer education course.
- Website: https://www.chfainfo.com/homeownership/down-payment-assistance
Impact Development Fund DPA
- Offers: 0% interest second loans up to $25,000.
- Who Qualifies: First-time buyers at or below 80% AMI.
- Repayment: Deferred or amortized over 30 years.
- Website: impactdf.org
CHAC (Colorado Housing Assistance Corporation)
- Offers: Immediate or deferred second loans up to $12,000.
- Who Qualifies: First-time buyers; income limits apply.
- Repayment: Monthly payments or deferred depending on loan type.
- Website: chaconline.org
CRHDC/Colorado Housing Enterprises
- Offers: $3,000–$10,000 second loans.
- Who Qualifies: Income-qualified buyers; often used in rural areas.
- Repayment: 10-year repayment; not forgivable.
- Website: crhdc.org
Boulder County
- Boulder County Down Payment Assistance Program
- Assistance: Provides down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time homebuyers purchasing a home in Boulder County, excluding the city of Boulder.
- Eligibility: Applicants must meet income requirements and other criteria.
- Website: https://longmontcolorado.gov/housing-and-community-investment/boulder-county-down-payment-assistance/
Grand County
- Grand County Housing Authority Down Payment Assistance Program
- Assistance: Provides low-interest loans for down payment and closing costs to qualified homebuyers in Grand County.
- Eligibility: Must meet income requirements and other criteria.
- Website: https://www.co.grand.co.us/1155/Down-Payment-Assistance
Eagle County
- Eagle County Down Payment Assistance Program
- Offers: Loans of 4–5% of home price from multiple funds.
- Who Qualifies: Must live/work in Eagle County; some income limits apply.
- Repayment: Deferred/shared equity or amortized, depending on fund.
- Website: https://www.housingeaglecounty.com/downpayment
Larimer County
- Impact Development Fund Down Payment Assistance
- Assistance: Provides assistance up to 20% of the contract purchase price for first-time homebuyers with income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) in Larimer County.
- Eligibility: Must meet income and first-time homebuyer requirements.
- Website: https://impactdf.org/larimer-county/
City of Aurora
Home Ownership Assistance Program (HOAP)
- Offers: 4–10% of home price as a silent second mortgage.
- Who Qualifies: Home in Aurora; income ≤ 120% AMI (~$168K for family of 4).
- Repayment: Repaid at sale/refi.
- Website: https://www.auroragov.org/residents/home_improvement/down_payment_assistance
City of Pueblo
Pueblo County Homeownership Program
- Pueblo (HDAP)
- Offers: Up to $5,000 forgivable loan (currently on hold).
- Who Qualifies: First-time buyers in Pueblo; income limits apply.
- Repayment: Forgiven after 5 years of occupancy.
- Website: pueblo.us (Program currently paused)
Last update 1/14/2026
These programs can only be handled by approved lenders. You should have enough information here to be able to go it alone, but if you would like help from a local realtor familiar with the programs and a lender with access, fill out this form here and I will connect you with one.