El Paso County at a glance
From Monument in the north down through Colorado Springs, Security-Widefield and Fountain, school employment is spread across several districts: Colorado Springs District 11, Academy District 20, Falcon District 49, Harrison District 2, Widefield District 3 and Cheyenne Mountain District 12. A bus driver in Falcon and a counselor in Manitou Springs qualify for Schools To Home the same way, as long as the district classifies them as full-time.
On the public safety side, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, Colorado Springs Police Department and Colorado Springs Fire Department staff are covered by Colorado Champions, along with dispatchers and EMTs who meet the program's role rules.
El Paso has one of the lower FirstStep price caps among the big Front Range counties, so if you're a first-time buyer comparing FirstStep, check the numbers below before you shop.
Caps for El Paso County
| Income, 1–2 | Income, 3+ | Price cap |
|---|---|---|
| $127,800 | $146,970 | $566,730 |
These are CHFA FirstStep figures; Schools To Home ($178,920) and Colorado Champions ($196,810) use statewide income limits with no price cap. Statewide table · Budget estimate
Local programs in El Paso County
Programs run by cities, the county, employers or nonprofits here. Some layer on top of the state option and some replace it; the lender sorts out which combinations are allowed.
Pikes Peak Down Payment Assistance (PPDPA)
OpenAll of El Paso County including the City of Colorado Springs
- Buyers
- Any buyer (no first-time requirement) using a PPDPA first mortgage
- Amount
- Up to 5% of loan as 0% soft second
- Form
- Forgivable loan
- Income cap
- $178,920 for FHA/VA/USDA; $92,560 for Freddie Mac conventional
- Price cap
- None
- First-time only
- No
- Conditions
- Participating lender; 30-year fixed FHA, VA, USDA or Freddie Mac HFA Advantage; max DTI 45% (640+) or 50% (680+); homebuyer education required for first-time buyers on Freddie loans; no refinances
50% forgiven pro rata over first 60 months, remaining 50% forgiven at 30 years; due on sale/refinance. Not a bond program, so no recapture tax. Funds 'continuously available until further notice.' Linked from the City of Colorado Springs housing resources page. Cannot be combined with CHFA Schools To Home (needs its own first mortgage). See Hometown Heroes add-on under occupation_specific.
Checked November 2026 · method
Program details →Check my eligibility →Rocky Mountain Community Land Trust (City of Colorado Springs HOME partner)
OpenCity of Colorado Springs and El Paso County
- Buyers
- First-time buyers (no ownership in 3 years) at or below 80% AMI
- Amount
- Land-trust model lowers purchase cost (shared investment in land)
- Form
- shared equity (community land trust)
- Income cap
- 80% AMI El Paso County: $65,200 (1) to $93,100 (4) to $108,000 (6)
- First-time only
- Yes
- Conditions
- CHFA-certified homebuyer workshop; conventional 30-yr fixed first for 70-80% of price via RMCLT lenders; contribute greater of 1% or $1,000; U.S. citizen or legal status
The City's Community Development Division says its HOME-funded homebuyer assistance runs through RMCLT and Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity (https://coloradosprings.gov/single-family-housing); the city lists no direct cash DPA of its own. RMCLT eligibility page updated 06/18/2026.
Checked November 2026 · method
Check my eligibility →Homebuyer courses near El Paso County
Plan on a homebuyer education course before closing; nearly every program asks for one. HUD-approved agencies serving El Paso County:
| Agency | City | Miles | Services | Languages | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neighborworks Southern Colorado | Pueblo | 41 mi | homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling | English | Face to Face, Phone |
| Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments | Canon City | 44 mi | homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling | English | Face to Face, Phone, Internet |
| Douglas County Housing Partnership | Lone Tree | 52 mi | homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling | English, Spanish | Face to Face, Phone, Internet |
From HUD's housing counseling agency list. Programs differ on which courses they accept.
Qualifying employers in El Paso County
Local school systems and public safety agencies:
- Colorado Springs School District 11
- Academy District 20
- Falcon School District 49
- Harrison School District 2
- Widefield School District 3
- Cheyenne Mountain School District 12
- El Paso County Sheriff's Office
- Colorado Springs Police Department
- Colorado Springs Fire Department
Full-time staff at any of these districts or a charter school in the county can use Schools To Home, and the agencies listed fall under Colorado Champions. Full list of eligible jobs.
El Paso County questions
Do Academy District 20 and D49 charter school employees qualify?
Yes, if the charter school or district classifies you as full-time. Schools To Home covers charter schools and institute charter schools as well as traditional districts.
What's the FirstStep price limit in El Paso County?
$566,730 for non-targeted areas. Schools To Home and Colorado Champions have no purchase price limit.
Can a Colorado Springs firefighter use Colorado Champions?
Yes. Firefighters employed by or volunteering with a Colorado fire department qualify for up to $25,000 or 4% as a 0% deferred second.
Nearby county guides: City and of Denver · Arapahoe · Jefferson · Adams · Douglas · Weld · Larimer · Boulder · Pueblo · Mesa · all counties
Run the check for El Paso County
Six questions, no credit check. A lender who offers the program follows up, or call (800) 555-0100.
Start the eligibility check