Down payment assistance in Colorado
Colorado's primary statewide down payment assistance program, run by Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA). Numbers and eligibility reflect the program's published 2025 guidelines.
CHFA DPA Grant
Grant (no repayment)- Maximum assistance
- Up to 3% of first mortgage as a non-repayable grant
- Income limit
- Up to $164,300 in most counties (higher in resort counties)
- Home price limit
- Up to $646,000 statewide; $815,000+ in high-cost counties
- First-time buyer
- Not required
- Eligible loan types
- FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
- •Grant is fully forgiven at closing.
- •Buyer must contribute at least $1,000 of own funds.
- •Pairs with the CHFA SmartStep first-mortgage program.
How Colorado DPA fits into your purchase
Down payment assistance reduces the cash you need at the closing table. Colorado's CHFA DPA Grant pairs with the standard FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional first mortgage from a participating lender; the DPA flows through the same closing.
Two things to budget for: most state DPA requires a homebuyer-education course (typically online, 6-8 hours, ~$75) and you usually have to use a lender on the agency's approved list. The agency keeps the list public on its website.
Common questions
Colorado's primary statewide DPA is CHFA DPA Grant from Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA). Up to 3% of first mortgage as a non-repayable grant. Many Colorado cities and counties also run additional DPA layered on top.
No. The CHFA DPA Grant is open to both first-time and repeat buyers, subject to income and home-price limits.
Yes. CHFA DPA Grant works with these loan types: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional. The DPA is layered behind your first mortgage as a separate lien (or grant), and both close together.
No. A grant has no repayment requirement, so it is not counted as debt for DTI purposes.
A grant is yours to keep with no payback obligation.