Garfield County at a glance
Roaring Fork School District covers Glenwood Springs and Carbondale, Garfield RE-2 covers Rifle, New Castle and Silt, and Garfield District 16 covers Parachute. In a resort-adjacent valley, Schools To Home's percentage-based second can help full-time school staff compete with second-home buyers.
The Garfield County Sheriff's Office, Glenwood Springs Police and Fire Departments, and Colorado River Fire Rescue are key Colorado Champions employers. Volunteer firefighters in the valley's districts also qualify.
Garfield's FirstStep income limits are in the lower tier, but its price limit is at the top of the range, $832,750.
Caps for Garfield County
| Income, 1–2 | Income, 3+ | Price cap |
|---|---|---|
| $127,800 | $146,970 | $832,750 |
Garfield pairs lower FirstStep income limits with the top price limit; Schools To Home and Champions use statewide caps. Statewide table · Budget estimate
Local programs in Garfield 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.
Garfield County Housing Authority DPA
OpenGarfield County, plus El Jebel area of unincorporated Eagle County and the Town of Basalt
- Buyers
- Employed buyers working 30+ hrs/week who own no other real estate
- Amount
- 3% of purchase price up to $15,000
- Income cap
- 150% AMI (conventional, RD, VA) or 115% AMI (FHA), by household size
- Price cap
- None
- First-time only
- No
- Conditions
- Min investment greater of 1% or $2,000; max DTI 45%; can be combined with other DPA
Guidelines revised 11/2024; repayment terms not captured.
Checked November 2026 · method
Program details →Check my eligibility →Housing Resources of Western Colorado Purchase Assistance Loan
OpenMesa, Montrose, Delta and Garfield counties
- Buyers
- Buyers of a primary residence (eligibility details not on page)
- Form
- Deferred loan, repaid later
- Conditions
- Contact agency; homebuyer education offered free
0% interest, no monthly payment; due at end of term, sale or change in primary residence. Agency's affordable new-build listings in Grand Junction advertise up to $105,000 DPA for eligible buyers.
Checked November 2026 · method
Check my eligibility →Homebuyer courses near Garfield County
Plan on a homebuyer education course before closing; nearly every program asks for one. HUD-approved agencies serving Garfield County:
| Agency | City | Miles | Services | Languages | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing Resources of Western Colorado | Grand Junction | 48 mi | homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling | English | Phone |
From HUD's housing counseling agency list. Programs differ on which courses they accept.
Qualifying employers in Garfield County
Local school systems and public safety agencies:
- Roaring Fork School District
- Garfield School District 16
- Garfield RE-2 School District
- Garfield County Sheriff's Office
- Glenwood Springs Police Department
- Glenwood Springs Fire Department
- Colorado River Fire Rescue
Roaring Fork, RE-2 and District 16 staff, plus the sheriff, police and fire agencies listed, are the main qualifiers. Full list of eligible jobs.
Garfield County questions
Does a Roaring Fork teacher who lives in Eagle County qualify?
Yes. Schools To Home follows your employer, and you can buy anywhere in Colorado.
Do Colorado River Fire Rescue volunteers qualify?
Yes. Volunteers with a Colorado fire protection district are covered by Colorado Champions.
What's Garfield's FirstStep income limit for a family of three?
$146,970, non-targeted.
Nearby county guides: El Paso · City and of Denver · Arapahoe · Jefferson · Adams · Douglas · Weld · Larimer · Boulder · Pueblo · all counties
Run the check for Garfield County
Six questions, no credit check. A lender who offers the program follows up, or call (800) 555-0100.
Start the eligibility check