Last updated: July 14, 2026
Bottom line
Colorado has real down payment help, but most programs are not grants made only for single mothers. Help is usually based on income, credit, loan type, home location, first-time buyer rules, disability, work history, or other program rules.
Start with a CHFA-approved lender and ask for a full review of statewide and local programs. Take homebuyer education early so you understand the mortgage, closing costs, repairs, taxes, insurance, and any second loan tied to the help.
Do not judge a program only by the amount offered. A smaller true grant may cost less in the long run than a larger loan with repayment or shared-appreciation rules.
If you need housing help today
Homebuying help is not emergency rent or shelter help. A lender must review your income, credit, debts, documents, and the home. This can take time.
If you may lose your housing, have an eviction notice, need shelter, or face a utility shutoff, contact 211 Colorado for local referrals. The ASMOM Colorado emergency guide also lists other help paths while you work on a longer-term housing plan.
If you have court papers or a serious housing dispute, housing legal aid may be able to explain your options. Do not miss a court, appeal, or response deadline while waiting for another program.
Where to start
You may buy soon
Ask two or three approved lenders to check CHFA, metroDPA, USDA, and any city or county program tied to the home address.
You need a plan first
A HUD housing counselor can help you review your budget, credit, debts, savings, and homebuyer class options before you pay large fees.
Your budget is already tight
Use Colorado PEAK to check food, medical, and cash benefits. Also review the ASMOM Colorado help guide before adding a mortgage payment.
Quick comparison of Colorado homebuyer help
| Program | What it helps with | How to start | Main reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHFA | Down payment and eligible closing costs with a CHFA first mortgage | Use a participating lender | The grant and second mortgage have different costs and repayment rules |
| metroDPA | Down payment, closing costs, prepaid costs, or principal reduction | Use a metroDPA lender | Standard help is a deferred second mortgage, not free cash |
| Pikes Peak DPA | Up to 5% assistance in El Paso County | Choose a participating lender | Forgiveness happens under a set schedule, and rates may be above market |
| Local city or county help | Down payment, closing costs, or affordable homeownership | Check the exact home address | Waitlists, funding, income limits, and property rules can change |
| USDA rural loans | Low- or no-down-payment financing in eligible rural areas | Check the address and income rules | This is a mortgage program, not a down payment grant |
Grant reality check
Homebuyer help can be a grant, a deferred second mortgage, a forgivable loan, a shared-appreciation loan, or a normal loan with monthly payments. These are not the same.
Before you accept help, ask for the written terms. Look for the interest rate, monthly payment, lien length, forgiveness schedule, repayment triggers, and what happens if you sell, refinance, move out, transfer title, or pay off the first mortgage.
The Loan Estimate tool can help you read your mortgage offer. Compare the interest rate, monthly payment, cash to close, lender fees, mortgage insurance, and total loan costs with and without assistance.
CHFA statewide down payment help
The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) is the main statewide place to check. CHFA does not lend directly to buyers. A participating lender reviews your mortgage application and matches you with a CHFA first mortgage and any assistance you may qualify for.
What CHFA may offer
The current CHFA assistance page lists two main choices for a 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage:
- A grant up to the lesser of $25,000 or 3% of the first mortgage. CHFA says this grant does not require repayment.
- A second mortgage up to the lesser of $25,000 or 4% of the first mortgage. Repayment is deferred until events such as sale, refinance, payoff of the first mortgage, or the home no longer being your main residence.
CHFA also says first-generation buyers and people living with a permanent disability may have access to certain programs offering up to $25,000 even when the percentage of the first mortgage would be lower.
Who may qualify
CHFA programs have different rules. General requirements can include qualifying for the first mortgage, meeting the program income limit, completing a CHFA-approved class, making the required borrower contribution, and meeting credit rules. CHFA says it has loan programs for borrowers with credit scores of 620 or higher, but the lender and loan program make the final decision.
Where to apply
Use the CHFA loan steps and contact a participating lender. Ask the lender to show you the grant option, second-mortgage option, and a loan without CHFA assistance so you can compare the full cost.
Practical reality check
CHFA notes that higher interest rates may apply when down payment help is used. A grant with a higher first-mortgage rate can cost more over time than it first appears. Ask for written side-by-side Loan Estimates before choosing.
Other statewide paths to check
USDA rural home loans
USDA Rural Development has two homebuyer paths for eligible rural areas. The USDA direct loan serves low- and very-low-income applicants and may include payment assistance. The USDA guaranteed loan works through approved lenders for eligible low- and moderate-income households.
Who may qualify: Buyers who meet income, credit, repayment, property, and rural-location rules. The home must be a main residence and meet program standards.
Where to apply: Direct-loan applicants work with USDA Rural Development. Guaranteed-loan applicants start with an approved lender.
Reality check: A place that looks rural may not qualify. Check the exact address and household income before paying for inspections or making plans around USDA financing.
Proposition 123 local funding
Colorado’s Proposition 123 DPA sends funding to eligible local governments and nonprofit housing partners. Individual buyers do not apply to the state for this money.
Who may qualify: The state framework supports first-time buyers and gives priority to first-generation buyers, but local partners set the buyer application process within state rules.
Where to apply: Ask your city, county, housing authority, or housing nonprofit whether it has a buyer program funded through Proposition 123.
Reality check: State funding does not mean every county has an open buyer program. Confirm the local administrator, current funding, and loan terms before sharing personal documents.
Local Colorado down payment programs
Local programs are tied to the home address. Check the city and county before you make an offer. A program may be open in one area and unavailable across the street.
| Area and program | What it helps with | Who may qualify and where to apply | Practical reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Range: metroDPA | A percentage of the first mortgage for down payment and certain closing costs | The current metroDPA page lists income up to $216,000 and a credit score above 640. Apply through an approved lender. | Standard assistance is a 30-year, 0% deferred second mortgage. It is repaid after sale, refinance, payoff, moving out, or 30 years. |
| El Paso County: Pikes Peak DPA | Up to 5% as a 0% soft second mortgage | The Pikes Peak DPA page lists current income and debt-to-income limits. The home must be in El Paso County. Apply through a participating lender. | Half is forgiven monthly over five years. The remaining half is forgiven at 30 years. The county says funds are available until further notice, but rates change daily. |
| City of Boulder: H2O | A shared-appreciation second loan up to $100,000 | The Boulder H2O program is for eligible first-time buyers purchasing in Boulder city limits. Work, income, asset, education, and first-mortgage rules apply. | There are no monthly payments, but the original loan plus a share of appreciation is due later. Funds are limited and first come, first served. |
| Longmont and Boulder County | Local DPA loans for homes in Longmont and Boulder County outside Boulder city | The Longmont DPA page says buyers must join a waitlist, get preapproved, complete education and coaching, and be approved before signing a purchase contract. | Loan terms depend on income. Some loans have monthly payments; others are deferred. The city warns that incomplete files delay review. |
| Greeley: G-HOPE | Up to $8,000 for certain homes east of 35th Avenue | The city’s G-HOPE details say the buyer’s employer must be based in Greeley. The linked program administrator handles the application. | The amount depends on the property and other factors. Employer and location rules are narrow. |
| Dearfield Fund | Up to $50,000 for down payment or closing costs | The Dearfield Fund terms say eligible first-time buyers must use an approved lender and contribute at least 3% of the home price. | This is an interest-free loan, not a grant. Confirm the current service area and full eligibility. At sale or refinance, the buyer repays the assistance plus 5% of the home’s appreciation. |
Pikes Peak also lists a limited Hometown Heroes incentive for certain teachers, first responders, military members, veterans, and health care workers. Because the incentive is limited to a set number of loans, ask a participating lender whether it is still available before counting it in your budget.
How to apply without wasting time
- Check your real monthly budget. Add the mortgage, taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance, HOA dues, utilities, child care, transportation, food, medical costs, and repairs.
- Take a homebuyer class. Do this early. Some programs require the class before you sign a contract.
- Talk with more than one lender. Ask each lender to check CHFA, metroDPA, local DPA, FHA, VA if eligible, and USDA if the address may qualify.
- Choose the buying area. Local help depends on the property address, not only where you live now.
- Ask whether programs can be combined. Some assistance can be layered and some cannot. Get the answer in writing.
- Compare official offers. The CFPB says buyers should compare loan offers. Do not compare only the monthly payment.
- Keep a backup plan. If funds pause or the payment is unsafe, use Colorado Housing Search and the ASMOM Colorado housing guide while you prepare.
Documents and information to gather
Every lender and program can ask for different items. The ASMOM documents checklist can help you build one folder for benefits and housing applications.
| Item | Why it is needed | Helpful step |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID and Social Security numbers | Identity and loan checks | Ask what is needed for every borrower and household member |
| Pay stubs, W-2s, tax returns, or benefit letters | Income and program-limit review | Ask how overtime, tips, support, self-employment, or changing hours count |
| Bank and asset statements | Savings, deposits, reserves, and borrower contribution | Do not move large sums without asking the lender how to document them |
| Debt statements | Debt-to-income review | Include cards, car loans, student loans, judgments, and support orders |
| Rental and work history | Some programs check housing stability or local employment | Keep landlord and employer contact details ready |
| Homebuyer class certificate | Required by many assistance programs | Send the certificate to the lender and keep your own copy |
| Divorce, custody, or child support papers | May affect income, debts, household size, and property rights | Use the ASMOM Colorado legal guide if you need help finding legal support |
Other help that may protect your home budget
A mortgage approval does not prove the payment is safe for your family. Lowering other basic costs may give you a better picture of what you can carry each month.
- Use the ASMOM Colorado SNAP guide if food costs are taking most of your income.
- Check Colorado child care help if care costs limit work or school.
- Review utility bill help before estimating future heating and power costs.
- See transportation help if car costs or long travel to work are straining the budget.
- Check TANF cash help if your household has little or no income.
The ASMOM national housing guide explains rental help, vouchers, emergency housing, and other paths if buying is not safe this year.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Calling every program a grant. A deferred loan can be useful, but it still creates a lien and may need to be repaid.
- Shopping before program review. Some local programs require approval or education before you sign a contract.
- Using only one lender. Rates, fees, program knowledge, and service can differ.
- Ignoring repairs and HOA costs. Down payment help does not pay every cost after closing.
- Making a large deposit without records. Lenders may ask where the money came from.
- Paying a stranger for “guaranteed approval.” Use official agencies, approved lenders, and HUD-approved counselors.
If you are denied, delayed, or not ready
Ask for the exact reason in writing. A mortgage denial may be tied to credit, debt, income history, savings, a document problem, the loan type, or the property. The CFPB’s mortgage denial guidance explains that lenders must give the main reasons or tell you how to get them.
Take one next step at a time. A housing counselor may help you build a three-, six-, or twelve-month plan. The ASMOM denied benefits guide also shows how to organize notices, deadlines, and follow-up records.
If you think a lender, seller, agent, or housing program treated you unfairly, review Colorado civil rights. For a problem with a mortgage company or other financial product, the CFPB complaint tool can send the issue to the company for a response.
Buying later is not failure. Waiting can protect your savings and lower the chance of losing the home after closing.
Phone scripts you can use
Calling a CHFA lender
“Hi, I am buying in Colorado. Can you check me for CHFA grant and second-mortgage options, then show me the same loan without assistance? Please include the interest rate, monthly payment, cash to close, lender fees, mortgage insurance, and repayment rules.”
Calling a local program
“Hi, I may buy a home at this address. Is your down payment program accepting buyers now? What income, credit, first-time buyer, education, property, lender, and contract-timing rules should I check before I make an offer?”
Calling a housing counselor
“Hi, I want to buy a home, but I need a neutral review of my budget, credit, debts, and savings. Can you help me decide whether I am ready and tell me which homebuyer class will meet local program rules?”
Calling for urgent housing help
“Hi, I am trying to plan for homeownership, but I need help with my current housing first. Can you check for rent, shelter, utility, food, legal, and housing-counseling resources in my county?”
Helpful official and trusted resources
- Colorado Housing Connects offers homebuyer information and housing-counselor referrals.
- mortgage comparison help explains how to compare Loan Estimates and lender offers.
- real grants guide explains the difference between grants, benefits, loans, and services.
Resumen en español
Colorado ofrece ayuda para el pago inicial, pero no todos los programas son subvenciones gratis. Algunas ayudas son préstamos diferidos, préstamos perdonables o préstamos que deben pagarse al vender o refinanciar la casa.
Empiece con un prestamista aprobado por CHFA y una clase para compradores. Pida una comparación por escrito del pago mensual, tasa de interés, dinero para el cierre y reglas de pago. Si necesita vivienda, renta, comida o servicios públicos de inmediato, llame al 2-1-1 antes de comenzar una compra.
FAQ
Are there Colorado down payment grants only for single mothers?
Most programs are not only for single mothers. You may qualify based on income, credit, loan type, home location, first-time buyer status, disability, work history, or other rules.
What is the best first program to check?
CHFA is the main statewide starting point. Buyers along the Front Range should also ask about metroDPA, while buyers in other areas should check city and county programs.
How much CHFA help is available?
CHFA currently lists a grant up to the lesser of $25,000 or 3% of the first mortgage and a second mortgage up to the lesser of $25,000 or 4%.
Can I combine two down payment programs?
Sometimes. Combining programs depends on lender rules, lien limits, property location, loan type, and each program’s terms. Get written approval before making an offer.
What if my credit is too low?
Ask the lender for the exact reason and start with a HUD-approved housing counselor. Avoid high-fee companies that promise fast score changes or guaranteed approval.
Should I buy if I am behind on rent or utilities?
Fix the urgent problem first. A mortgage adds taxes, insurance, repairs, and other costs. Use 211 and local benefits before taking on a home loan.
Last updated: July 14, 2026
Next review: October 14, 2026
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified July 14, 2026, next review October 14, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.