Down payment help in Boulder County

Denver metro / Front Range: listed cities and towns plus unincorporated Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Jefferson and Larimer counties

Buyers

Any buyer (first-time and repeat) buying a primary residence in a participating area; min FICO 620 (TMS) or 640 (U.S. Bank)

Amount

0%, 3% or 4% of the first-mortgage amount (Nov 2, 2026 U.S. Bank guide); daily rate sheets currently show 0% or 3% for FHA/VA/USDA and 80%-AMI conventional, 2% for conventional over 80% AMI. 'EDGE' option: buyer or seller pays 2 points for a lower rate

Form

Deferred loan, repaid later

Income cap

$216,000 for FHA/VA/USDA and conventional over 80% AMI (same for all household sizes); conventional at/below 80% AMI tier $115,200 in Denver-metro counties ($120,000 Boulder, $104,320 Larimer, $102,400 Weld)

Price cap

None (agency loan limits apply)

First-time only

No

Conditions

Must use metroDPA first mortgage from an approved lender (30-yr fixed FHA, VA, USDA-RD, Fannie HFA Preferred, Freddie HFA Advantage); homebuyer education for all borrowers; occupy within 60 days; max DTI about 50%

0% 30-year second, never forgiven; due on sale, refinance, payoff or move-out. Cannot be combined with CHFA Schools To Home (each requires its own first mortgage). Incorporated cities listed include Denver, Aurora, Arvada, Lakewood, Westminster, Thornton, Northglenn, Brighton, Commerce City, Englewood, Littleton, Centennial, Golden, Wheat Ridge, Edgewater, Castle Rock, Parker, Lone Tree, Boulder, Longmont, Erie, Superior, Broomfield, Fort Collins, Loveland, Berthoud, Timnath, Wellington, Windsor, Greeley, Evans, Eaton, Ault, Johnstown, Firestone, Frederick, Dacono, Mead, Platteville, Keenesburg, Lochbuie, Elizabeth, Bennett, Deer Trail and others (eligible-areas PDF dated 06-12-23). Denver's page and metro-dpa.com show older figures ($210,150 income cap; 5% example).

Checked November 2026 · method

City of Boulder

Buyers

First-time buyers (no ownership in 3 years) who have worked in the city of Boulder at least one year, buying a market-rate home in Boulder city limits

Amount

Up to $100,000

Form

deferred (shared appreciation)

Income cap

150% AMI: $157,500 (1) / $180,000 (2) / $202,500 (3) / $225,000 (4); assets max about 1x income limit

First-time only

Yes

Conditions

City orientation and homebuyer education; one household member working 30 hrs/week; min $2,000 own funds; max DTI 45%; owner-occupied

0% interest, no payments for 30 years; repay principal plus a share of appreciation equal to the loan's share of price (e.g. 15% loan = 15% of appreciation). Funds limited, first-come first-served. Not for use with permanently affordable homes.

Checked November 2026 · method

City of Boulder

Buyers

Lower-asset buyers of select Permanently Affordable or Thistle Communities land trust homes in Boulder city limits

Amount

Up to 5% of purchase price

Form

Grant

Income cap

HUD+10 (81.2% AMI): $85,260 (1) to $121,800 (4); assets generally under $15,000

Price cap

Eligible homes only

Conditions

May not own another home; orientation and homebuyer education; one member working 30 hrs/week; min $2,000 own funds; max DTI 42%; covenant restrictions

Grant bridges the gap between buyer's funds and minimum needed to close; funds limited, first-come first-served.

Checked November 2026 · method

Boulder Valley, mostly City of Boulder (regional partnership incl. Lafayette)

Buyers

Low, moderate and middle-income owner-occupants

Amount

Below-market purchase price with permanent affordability covenant

Form

deed-restricted / shared equity

Income cap

Program max $157,500 (1) to $225,000 (4); each home may have a lower limit

Price cap

Set per home; resale price capped

Conditions

Asset limits (e.g. $225,900 for 4); affordability covenant

Checked November 2026 · method

City of Longmont and Boulder County outside the City of Boulder

Buyers

Income-qualified buyers of a primary residence

Form

amortizing (61-80% AMI: 2%, 30 years) or deferred (below 60% AMI: 0%, no payments)

Income cap

At or below 80% or 120% AMI for Boulder County depending on program

Conditions

Liquid assets spent down to $50,000; min contribution $2,000 or 1% (greater); CHFA homebuyer class before contract plus Boulder County Personal Finance session; eligibility before signing a contract; HQS-type inspection; floodplain limits; may not own other property

Applicants join a waitlist first. Contact katie.sylvis@longmontcolorado.gov, 303-774-4509.

Checked November 2026 · method