Assistance program · Colorado
Open, per the source
CHFA FirstGeneration
$25,000 from the Colorado state agency for the down payment of first-generation buyers (neither you nor your parents have owned a home); repaid when you sell, refinance or pay off the mortgage
At a glance
- Most it gives, per the source
- $25,000
- What its page says; your amount depends on the price and the loan.
- Kind of help
- Deferred
- Second loan with no payments until you sell or refinance
- First-time buyer?
- Yes
- First-time buyers only
- Minimum credit score
- 620
- The minimum the source asks for; a lender may ask for more.
- Checked
- November 5, 2026
- Against the program's official page.
Type of help
What it is
- Second loan with no payments until you sell or refinance
What it gives
$25,000
Source text
More affordable homeownership: $25,000 down payment assistance … Must use a CHFA first mortgage loan … Repayment of loan balance deferred until events such as payoff of first mortgage loan, sale of home, refinance of home, or the home is no longer your primary residence A summary of what the program publishes; not a loan offer or advice. Amounts, limits and funding change without notice.
At a glance
Who qualifies
Each answer comes from the program's page. "Not stated — ask" means its page doesn't make it clear: ask before you apply.
Source text
A borrower who has never owned a home and whose parents or guardians never owned a home during the homebuyer's lifetime. … Borrowers having lived in the foster care system do not need to be first-generation homebuyers but must have never owned a home. … Please note: If multiple borrowers will be on the loan, only one borrower must be a first-generation homebuyer. All borrowers must be first-time homebuyers. A first-time homebuyer is defined as someone who has not owned a home in the prior three years. … Borrowers have a mid-credit score of 620 or higher … Borrowers’ income must not exceed CHFA’s income limits … Borrowers must individually and independently complete a CHFA-approved homebuyer education class prior to their mortgage loan closing date - First-time buyers only Yes
- Homebuyer course required Yes
- Minimum credit score 620
- Income limit Per the program table (by county and household size)
- Price limit Per the program table
- Mortgages it works with Not stated — ask
- Immigration requirement Legal residence in the U.S., per the source
- Accepts ITIN? No
- Spanish materials Yes
- Program status Open, per the source
- Where it applies All of Colorado
What its page says about being open
This program does not have limited funds, so it will be here when you are ready. … This program is an ongoing program; there is no limit to the funds allocated for this program and so no limited application period. Read on the official page on November 5, 2026. chfainfo.com
Your area in numbers
What buying costs in Colorado
The program covers all of Colorado. The first column is Colorado's figure; the second runs from the lowest to the highest among its counties. Limits change by county: check yours.
The typical home value ($539,400) fits within Colorado's FHA limit ($541,287).
The program sets its income limit in its own table. For reference, HUD's low-income limit for 4 people in Colorado is $77,900.
| Figure | Colorado | Lowest to highest | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $539,400 | $116,200 (Crowley County) to $1,139,100 (Pitkin County) | U.S. Census Bureau |
| FHA limit (one-unit home) | $541,287 | $541,287 (Alamosa County) to $1,249,125 (Pitkin County) | HUD |
| Conforming limit (one-unit home) | $832,750 | $832,750 (Alamosa County) to $1,249,125 (Eagle County) | FHFA |
| HUD low income (80%), household of 4 | $77,900 | $77,900 (Alamosa County) to $115,050 (Summit County) | HUD |
Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024) · FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data) · Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data) · Income Limits (HUD) (Fiscal year 2026)
Step by step
How to use it, step by step
Each step comes from what the program's page says. What its page leaves out is further down, in the questions.
Find a participating lender-
Confirm it is still open
Its page said it was open when we checked. These programs run out of money: look again before you start.
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Confirm you count as a first-time buyer
The program requires it. Read on its page how it defines "first-time buyer" and whether there are exceptions.
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Find your county in the income table
The limit changes with the county and the number of people in your household. Count the income of everyone the program asks you to add.
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Take the homebuyer course
The program requires it. HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach courses. Colorado has 26 agencies on HUD's list, and 14 serve people in Spanish.
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Check your score: the published minimum is 620
That is the program's minimum; the lender may ask for more. If you are short, a housing counselor can explain how to raise it.
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Find a participating lender: state programs do not take applications directly; the lender reserves the assistance while processing your mortgage.
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Compare the total cost before you sign
Ask about the total cost. The mortgage with assistance may carry a higher rate than without it, and some programs charge for the course or a fee.
Before you call
What to ask
Its page leaves 2 points unclear. Write them down for when you talk to Colorado Housing and Finance Authority.
What its page does not say
- Is there a maximum price for the home?
- Which mortgage types does it work with: FHA, VA, USDA or conventional?
Worth asking for this kind of help
- When is the second loan repaid: when I sell, refinance or pay off the mortgage?
Against the others
How it compares with Colorado's other programs
The 2 programs we checked in Colorado, with the same fields from their official pages. "Doesn't say" means its page does not make it clear.
It is the only one of Colorado's 2 programs that requires being a first-time buyer. It is one of 2 out of 2 that publish an amount with the figure in their own wording. One other program in the state also gives "deferred" help: CHFA Down Payment Assistance. It is the only one that requires a homebuyer course.
Swipe the table to see every column.
| Program | Kind of help | Published amount | First-time buyers only | Course required | Accepts ITIN | Where it applies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHFA FirstGenerationthis programOpen, per the source | Deferred | $25,000 | Yes | Yes | No | Statewide |
| CHFA Down Payment Assistance | Grant · Deferred | Up to $25,000 | Doesn't say | Doesn't say | No | Statewide |
Sources
How we checked this program
We read the program's official pages on November 5, 2026 and copied their text as it appears on them. We add no amounts or requirements those pages do not state, and a program is listed as open or closed only when its page says so.
We check every program again. If more than 180 days pass without a check, the page says so.
Get free help applying
A HUD-approved housing counselor explains the program's requirements, goes over your numbers and tells you what to ask the lender. They do not sell loans.
Find a counselor (HUD)Read before you apply
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Help and programs
Down payment assistance: how it works
What down payment assistance is, the types that exist (grant, forgivable or deferred second loan, tax credit), who qualifies and where to find it.
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Help and programs
Homebuyer education courses: when you need one
What a homebuyer education course is, when Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and assistance programs require one, and where to take it for free or in Spanish.
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Help and programs
HUD housing counselors: what they do and what they cost
What a HUD-approved housing counselor does, what they help with (buying, renting, missed payments, credit), what they may charge and how to find one.
Your county
Price and income limits depend on the county. Your county page has the typical value, the FHA limit and the counseling agencies that can walk you through the application.