Garfield County Housing Authority DPA: 3% Up to $15,000

Fact sheet

Garfield County Housing Authority DPA

Open

Garfield 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

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How the Garfield County program works

The Garfield County Housing Authority sponsors this assistance and Impact Development Fund administers it. The amount is a flat 3% of the price, capped at $15,000, which is reached on a $500,000 home. There is no purchase price limit. The guideline we reviewed was revised in November 2024, and it did not spell out repayment terms, so ask IDF whether the money is a deferred loan, a forgivable loan or due on sale before you count on it.

Who qualifies?

You must work at least 30 hours a week and own no other real estate. You do not have to be a first-time buyer. Income limits depend on the loan: 150% of AMI on conventional, USDA-RD and VA loans, or 115% on FHA. The service area is Garfield County plus the El Jebel area of unincorporated Eagle County and the Town of Basalt. Expect to invest the greater of 1% of the price or $2,000, and keep DTI at or below 45%.

Combining with other help

This is one of the few Colorado programs that states it can be combined with other down payment assistance. For a Roaring Fork or Garfield RE-2 school employee, it could layer with Schools To Home only if it qualifies as a grant, since CHFA accepts only an outside grant there; a participating lender confirms. Western Slope buyers can also look at Housing Resources of Western Colorado (listed in the full program directory) and, for some Glenwood Springs and Carbondale workers, employer programs through IDF.

The lower FHA income cap (115% of AMI) compared with 150% on other loan types means higher earners usually pair this help with a conventional, USDA or VA loan. On a $350,000 home in Rifle or New Castle, 3% would be $10,500, which can be paired with the buyer's own 1% minimum of $3,500. Because repayment terms were not captured, ask for the note terms in writing before closing.

How to apply

Confirm your hours, pick a loan type to know your income cap, and have your lender submit the request to IDF. See the Garfield County page, our shift pay guide, and check eligibility.

County guides for this program: Garfield County, Eagle County.

Questions about Garfield County Housing Authority DPA

How much does Garfield County's program provide?

3% of the purchase price, up to $15,000.

Can it be combined with other assistance?

The guidelines say it can be combined with other DPA, subject to the first mortgage's rules.

Is there a work requirement?

Yes. Buyers must work 30+ hours a week and own no other real estate.

Similar programs

Summarized from the program's official page, November 2026. Money and rules shift; check today's terms with the administrator or a participating lender. Colorado Down Payment Assistance has no tie to this program.

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Garfield County Housing Authority down payment assistance: 3% for working buyers