Denver’s main down payment program, metroDPA, is unusually flexible — it is open to repeat buyers, not just first-timers — and the city added a Social Equity tier that provides forgivable help to descendants of neighborhoods harmed by historic redlining.
This guide focuses on what first-time buyers in Denver specifically can tap in 2026 — the local programs run by the city and county, the statewide help you can layer on top, and what it realistically takes to buy here.
Denver’s own first-time buyer programs
Denver’s help is run through the city’s housing office and a longstanding nonprofit:
- metroDPA — from the City and County of Denver, a 0% deferred silent second worth up to roughly 4–5% of the first-mortgage amount, with no monthly payment; notably open to buyers who are not first-timers, with income up to about $176,700
- metroDPA Social Equity option — a forgivable second of $15,000 or $25,000 (by income tier) for residents or descendants of Denver neighborhoods that were redlined between 1938 and 2000
- Colorado Housing Assistance Corporation (CHAC) — a nonprofit low-interest second for low-to-moderate-income buyers, often layered with a first mortgage (amounts vary)
These local programs are the piece most buyers miss, because they are run by the city or county rather than a lender — and they can often be combined with the statewide programs below.
Statewide programs you can also use in Denver
On top of Denver’s local help, every Colorado buyer can access the state’s housing finance programs — below-market loans, down payment assistance, and a possible tax credit. We cover them in full in our guide to Colorado first-time home buyer programs, and the wider local picture in our Colorado first-time home buyer guide. In many cases you can stack a city program with a state program to cover most or all of your cash to close — a lender who works with both can structure it.
What it takes to buy in Denver
The Denver metro median home price is around $570,000 to $600,000. Even with prices leveling off recently, that is a high bar for a first purchase, so metroDPA’s deferred help — and the larger forgivable Social Equity tier for those who qualify — can meaningfully close the down payment gap without adding to your monthly cost.
Before you shop, pin down your budget. Our home affordability guide walks through how income, debt, and rates set your price range, and our first-time home buyer checklist keeps the rest of the process on track.
Loan options for Denver buyers
Most Denver first-time buyers use one of a few loan types, each of which can pair with the assistance above:
- FHA loans — 3.5% down with flexible credit, popular with first-time buyers
- Conventional loans — as little as 3% down, with reduced mortgage insurance through state HFA versions
- VA and USDA loans — zero down for eligible veterans and in qualifying areas
- Down payment assistance — city and state programs that layer on top (see our down payment assistance guide)
How to buy your first home in Denver
- Check your budget and credit first — see our guide to credit score requirements.
- Complete a homebuyer education course — nearly every Denver and Colorado program requires one, and it is usually free.
- Find a lender who works with both Denver and Colorado programs, and ask them to run the city and state options together.
- Get pre-approved, then line up your assistance before you make an offer.
One note: local and state program funding and terms change, and some rounds close when the money runs out. Always confirm current amounts and availability with the program administrator before counting on a figure.
Denver first-time buyer FAQ
What down payment help is available in Denver?
The main program is metroDPA, a 0% deferred silent second worth up to about 4–5% of the first mortgage, with no monthly payment and open to repeat buyers. The metroDPA Social Equity option offers $15,000 or $25,000 in forgivable help to residents or descendants of historically redlined Denver neighborhoods. The nonprofit CHAC provides additional low-interest assistance.
Can I combine Denver city programs with Colorado state programs?
Often yes. City or county assistance is usually designed to layer on top of a first mortgage, and many buyers stack it with a Colorado state program to cover most of their down payment and closing costs. A lender who participates in both can confirm what combines. See our Colorado programs guide for the statewide options.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer to qualify in Denver?
No — unlike most city programs, standard metroDPA does not require first-time buyer status, and its income limit reaches about $176,700, so it serves a wide range of Denver-area buyers. Some nonprofit programs like CHAC may require first-time status. Homebuyer education is generally required, and the home must be a primary residence in the eligible service area. Confirm current figures with a metroDPA lender.
What is the metroDPA Social Equity program in Denver?
The Social Equity option is an enhanced metroDPA tier that provides a forgivable second of $15,000 or $25,000 (depending on income) specifically to residents or direct descendants of Denver neighborhoods that were redlined between 1938 and 2000 — an effort to address the lasting effects of that discrimination. Unlike the standard deferred metroDPA loan, this tier is forgivable. Confirm current eligibility and documentation requirements with the metroDPA program.