Colorado homebuyers

    Down payment assistance in Colorado: see which programs may fit you

    Grants, deferred second mortgages and forgivable loans exist for Colorado buyers who have not saved a large down payment. Answer five questions and see which of the 14 programs in the check may fit. A licensed Colorado loan officer confirms the rest on a short call.

    Check my programs Or call (303) 565-8662

    What down payment assistance is

    Money toward your down payment or closing costs, layered on top of a normal FHA, VA, USDA or conventional first mortgage. In Colorado it comes in layers: CHFA, the state's housing finance authority, runs several programs; the Denver metro has its own; some counties fund theirs; and lending partners run programs of their own that work across the state. Most have income limits, some have location rules, and only some require you to be a first-time buyer. Lenddy arranges the assistance together with the mortgage, so it is one application and one loan officer.

    Grants

    Money you do not repay. Usually a percentage of the loan or the purchase price, sometimes with a dollar cap. A few ask for it back if the loan is paid off within its first months.

    Deferred second mortgages

    A smaller second loan behind your mortgage at 0% interest with no monthly payment, repaid when you sell, refinance or move out.

    Forgivable and repayable seconds

    Some are forgiven after a set number of years of on-time payments. Others carry a monthly payment over 10 to 15 years.

    Examples of programs available through Lenddy

    5 of the 15. Program details as of September 2026, from Lenddy's program registry; amounts and limits are set by each program and change.

    CHFA SmartStep

    Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA)

    A grant of up to 3% of the first mortgage (capped at $25,000) that you never repay, or a deferred second mortgage of up to 4% (capped at $25,000) at 0% interest with no monthly payment. One or the other, not both.

    The grant is never repaid. The second is due when you sell, refinance, pay off the first mortgage or move out.

    • Repeat buyers welcome
    • Income limit $178,920
    • Anywhere in Colorado
    • Published minimum score 620
    • Pairs with FHA, VA, USDA loans

    Registry source August 2026.

    metroDPA

    eHousingPlus, for the City and County of Denver and the Metro Mayors Caucus

    A second mortgage of 3% or 4% of your loan amount at 0% interest, deferred for 30 years with no monthly payment.

    Due in full when you sell, refinance, pay off the first mortgage or move out. It is never forgiven.

    • Repeat buyers welcome
    • Income limit $216,000
    • Denver metro area only
    • Published minimum score 620
    • Pairs with FHA, VA, USDA, conventional loans

    Registry source August 2026.

    Chenoa Fund

    CBC Mortgage Agency, a federally chartered housing finance agency

    A second mortgage of 3.5% or 5% of the purchase price on an FHA loan, either forgivable or repaid over 10 years.

    The forgivable option is forgiven after the program's on-time-payment period; the repayable option is paid monthly over 10 years.

    • Repeat buyers welcome
    • No income limit
    • Anywhere in Colorado
    • Published minimum score 600
    • Pairs with FHA loans

    Registry source August 2026.

    Elevate Grant

    A Lenddy lending partner's own program

    A grant of 1% to 3.5% of the purchase price toward the down payment or closing costs. It is not repaid.

    Not repaid, unless the loan is paid off within its first six months.

    • Repeat buyers welcome
    • Income limit applies
    • Anywhere in Colorado
    • Published minimum score 620
    • Pairs with FHA, conventional loans

    Registry source April 2026.

    CHAC down payment loan

    Colorado Housing Assistance Corporation (CHAC), a statewide nonprofit

    Up to $12,000 as a second mortgage for first-time buyers, either deferred for the first five years or repaid monthly from closing.

    Repaid monthly, starting either at closing or after a five-year deferral, depending on the option.

    • First-time buyers
    • Income limit applies
    • Anywhere in Colorado
    • No published minimum score
    • Pairs with conventional, FHA loans

    Registry source August 2026.

    Check which programs may fit you

    Five questions, two minutes, no credit pull. Then a licensed Colorado loan officer calls to confirm the details.

    Rather talk it through? Call (303) 565-8662

    Have you owned a home in the last three years?
    Are you a veteran or on active duty?

    Where should the results and the call go?

    This check does not pull your credit and is not a determination of eligibility for any program. Lenddy.io, LLC, NMLS #2849217, is a licensed Colorado mortgage broker. This is not a commitment to lend; all loans are subject to credit approval and program guidelines. By submitting, you agree that a Lenddy loan officer may call or email you about your inquiry.

    Every program on this page

    15 programs, as of September 2026. One is listed but never returned by the check, because eligibility turns on something it does not ask; the loan officer raises it where it fits.

    CHFA SmartStep

    Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA)

    A grant of up to 3% of the first mortgage (capped at $25,000) that you never repay, or a deferred second mortgage of up to 4% (capped at $25,000) at 0% interest with no monthly payment. One or the other, not both.

    • Repeat buyers welcome
    • Income limit $178,920
    • Anywhere in Colorado
    • Published minimum score 620
    • Pairs with FHA, VA, USDA loans

    CHFA Preferred

    Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA)

    A deferred second mortgage of up to 4% of the first mortgage (capped at $25,000) at 0% interest with no monthly payment, paired with a conventional loan.

    • Repeat buyers welcome
    • Income limit applies
    • Anywhere in Colorado
    • Published minimum score 620
    • Pairs with conventional loans

    CHFA FirstStep

    Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA)

    A deferred second mortgage of up to 4% of the first mortgage (capped at $25,000) at 0% interest with no monthly payment, paired with an FHA loan.

    • First-time buyers
    • Income limit applies
    • Anywhere in Colorado
    • Published minimum score 620
    • Pairs with FHA loans

    CHFA FirstGeneration

    Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA)

    A deferred second mortgage at 0% interest with no monthly payment, paired with an FHA loan, for first-generation homebuyers.

    • First-time buyers
    • Income limit applies
    • Anywhere in Colorado
    • Published minimum score 620
    • Pairs with FHA loans

    CHFA HomeAccess

    Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA)

    A deferred second mortgage at 0% interest with no monthly payment, for buyers who have a permanent disability, or whose household includes a family member who does.

    • Repeat buyers welcome
    • Income limit applies
    • Anywhere in Colorado
    • Published minimum score 620
    • Pairs with FHA, VA, USDA loans

    metroDPA

    eHousingPlus, for the City and County of Denver and the Metro Mayors Caucus

    A second mortgage of 3% or 4% of your loan amount at 0% interest, deferred for 30 years with no monthly payment.

    • Repeat buyers welcome
    • Income limit $216,000
    • Denver metro area only
    • Published minimum score 620
    • Pairs with FHA, VA, USDA, conventional loans

    Chenoa Fund

    CBC Mortgage Agency, a federally chartered housing finance agency

    A second mortgage of 3.5% or 5% of the purchase price on an FHA loan, either forgivable or repaid over 10 years.

    • Repeat buyers welcome
    • No income limit
    • Anywhere in Colorado
    • Published minimum score 600
    • Pairs with FHA loans

    EQUO

    A Lenddy lending partner's own program

    A repayable second mortgage of 2.5%, 3.5% or 5% of the purchase price on an FHA loan.

    • Repeat buyers welcome
    • No income limit
    • Anywhere in Colorado
    • Published minimum score 580
    • Pairs with FHA loans

    Elevate Grant

    A Lenddy lending partner's own program

    A grant of 1% to 3.5% of the purchase price toward the down payment or closing costs. It is not repaid.

    • Repeat buyers welcome
    • Income limit applies
    • Anywhere in Colorado
    • Published minimum score 620
    • Pairs with FHA, conventional loans

    Boost DPA

    A Lenddy lending partner's own program

    A second mortgage of 3.5% or 5% of the purchase price on an FHA or USDA loan, either forgivable or repaid over 15 years.

    • Repeat buyers welcome
    • Income limit applies
    • Anywhere in Colorado
    • Published minimum score 660
    • Pairs with FHA, USDA loans

    Aurora DPA

    A Lenddy lending partner's own program

    A second mortgage of 3.5% or 5% of the purchase price on an FHA loan, either forgivable or repaid over 10 years.

    Despite the name, this is a lending partner's program available across Colorado. It is not the City of Aurora's assistance program.

    • Repeat buyers welcome
    • Income limit applies
    • Anywhere in Colorado
    • Published minimum score 660
    • Pairs with FHA loans

    MaxONE

    A Lenddy lending partner's own program

    A second mortgage of 3.5% or 5% of the purchase price on an FHA loan. One option is deferred and can be forgiven after three years; the others are repaid monthly over 10 years.

    • Repeat buyers welcome
    • No income limit
    • Anywhere in Colorado
    • Published minimum score 620
    • Pairs with FHA loans

    CHAC down payment loan

    Colorado Housing Assistance Corporation (CHAC), a statewide nonprofit

    Up to $12,000 as a second mortgage for first-time buyers, either deferred for the first five years or repaid monthly from closing.

    • First-time buyers
    • Income limit applies
    • Anywhere in Colorado
    • No published minimum score
    • Pairs with conventional, FHA loans

    Douglas County Amortized Loan Program

    Douglas County Housing Partnership

    Up to $15,000 as a second mortgage with a small monthly payment, for first-time buyers purchasing in Douglas County.

    • First-time buyers
    • Income limit applies
    • Douglas County only
    • No published minimum score
    • Pairs with FHA, VA, USDA, conventional loans

    Douglas County Shared Equity Program

    Douglas County Housing Partnership

    Up to 20% of the purchase price (capped at $41,000) as a shared-equity second mortgage with no monthly payment, paired with a conventional loan, for first-time buyers in Douglas County.

    • First-time buyers
    • Income limit applies
    • Douglas County only
    • No published minimum score
    • Pairs with conventional loans

    Questions people ask before they call

    Does down payment assistance have to be paid back?

    It depends on the program. Grants are not repaid, though a few ask for the money back if the loan is paid off within its first months. Deferred second mortgages carry no monthly payment and are repaid when you sell, refinance or move out. Forgivable seconds are forgiven after a set number of years of on-time payments. Repayable seconds have a monthly payment, usually over 10 to 15 years. Each program card on this page says which it is.

    Is metroDPA a grant?

    No. A second mortgage of 3% or 4% of your loan amount at 0% interest, deferred for 30 years with no monthly payment. Due in full when you sell, refinance, pay off the first mortgage or move out. It is never forgiven.

    What are the CHFA income limits?

    For CHFA SmartStep, Lenddy's program registry shows a qualifying-income cap of $178,920: CHFA statewide qualifying-income cap, every county, any household size (registry source March 2026). Other CHFA programs use limits that depend on household size and on whether the home is in a CHFA targeted area, and CHFA resets its limits each year. Your loan officer confirms the figure that applies to you.

    Can I get down payment assistance with a 620 credit score?

    Of the 15 programs on this page, 10 publish a minimum score of 620 or lower (the lowest published is 580) and 3 publish no minimum at all and review credit history instead. Your actual score, not the range, decides, and the first mortgage has its own requirements.

    Do I have to be a first-time buyer?

    Not for most of them. 10 of the 15 programs here welcome repeat buyers. The ones that require it usually mean no ownership interest in a home in the last three years, and some make exceptions for qualified veterans or for homes in a targeted area.

    Can the assistance cover closing costs?

    Often, yes. Many programs allow the money to go toward closing costs and prepaid items as well as the down payment; a few restrict it to the down payment. The program's rules decide, and the loan officer walks you through them.

    Which programs can Lenddy actually arrange?

    Every program on this page, as of September 2026: each one is placeable through Lenddy today and shown with a dated source. 4 more programs Lenddy can place are left off until their sources are refreshed; the loan officer raises them where they fit. Programs that are well known but not available through Lenddy are left off rather than shown with an asterisk.

    Programs are run by the agencies and lending partners named; their availability, amounts and limits are set by them, change without notice and depend on funding. Lenddy arranges the assistance alongside a first mortgage it originates; nothing on this page is a determination of eligibility. Program details as of September 2026 from Lenddy's program registry. Lenddy.io, LLC, NMLS #2849217, licensed in Colorado.

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