La Plata County at a glance
Durango 9-R is the largest district in the southwest corner of the state, with Bayfield and Ignacio serving the east and south of the county. Full-time support staff qualify alongside teachers.
The La Plata County Sheriff's Office, Durango Police Department and Durango Fire Protection District are the core Colorado Champions agencies, and rural volunteer crews also qualify.
La Plata has its own FirstStep price limit of $782,110, while income limits are in the lower tier. Champions and Schools To Home skip both.
Caps for La Plata County
| Income, 1–2 | Income, 3+ | Price cap |
|---|---|---|
| $127,800 | $146,970 | $782,110 |
La Plata's FirstStep price cap sits between the low and high tiers; the two spotlight programs have no price limit. Statewide table · Budget estimate
Local programs in La Plata 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.
HomesFund Shared Appreciation Loan
OpenLa Plata, Montezuma, Archuleta, San Juan and Dolores counties
- Buyers
- Income-qualified buyers in southwest Colorado
- Amount
- About $15,000 to over $100,000 depending on income and county
- Form
- deferred (shared appreciation)
- Income cap
- Varies by county and household income (2026 limits on HomesFund site, not captured)
- Conditions
- HomesFund homebuyer class, complete application, budget review and counseling session required
No monthly payments for life of loan; due in 30 years or at sale, transfer, cash-out refi or move-out, with pro-rata share of appreciation.
Checked November 2026 · method
Program details →Check my eligibility →Homebuyer courses near La Plata County
HUD lists no approved counseling agency within 50 miles of La Plata County. An online HUD-approved course usually satisfies the education rule; the lender names the ones that count.
Qualifying employers in La Plata County
Local school systems and public safety agencies:
- Durango School District 9-R
- Bayfield School District 10 JT-R
- Ignacio School District 11 JT
- La Plata County Sheriff's Office
- Durango Police Department
- Durango Fire Protection District
Durango, Bayfield and Ignacio district staff, plus the sheriff, police and fire district listed, are the main qualifiers. Full list of eligible jobs.
La Plata County questions
Do Ignacio school district employees qualify?
Yes. Any full-time employee of a Colorado public school district can use Schools To Home.
Can a Durango Fire Protection District firefighter use Champions?
Yes, paid or volunteer.
What's the FirstStep price limit in La Plata County?
$782,110 for non-targeted areas.
Nearby county guides: El Paso · City and of Denver · Arapahoe · Jefferson · Adams · Douglas · Weld · Larimer · Boulder · Pueblo · all counties
Run the check for La Plata County
Six questions, no credit check. A lender who offers the program follows up, or call (800) 555-0100.
Start the eligibility check