metroDPA Denver Down Payment Assistance
Own A Home in Colorado's Front Range
Forge Home Lending helps residents in Colorado’s
Front Range (including Denver and Aurora)
achieve homeownership using down payment
assistance programs such as metroDPA.
Up to 6%
3 Years
Generous
What Is metroDPA?
metroDPA is a down payment assistance program designed for individuals and families to become homeowners in Colorado’s Front Range — including Denver and Aurora. Sponsored by the City and County of Denver, prospective homeowners can receive up to 5% of their loan amount. This can be used to lower down payment and closing costs.
metroDPA functions as a second mortgage, not a grant. However, despite being a mortgage, there are no monthly payments and no interest. Instead, repayment occurs upon selling your home, refinancing your home, or when the home is no longer used as your primary residence.
metroDPA is often used together with primary mortgage programs including VA Loans, FHA Loans, or Conventional Loan Products. Forge Home Lending helps residents in Colorado’s Front Range navigate this — securing the down payment assistance needed as well as locking in mortgage rates.
Benefits of metroDPA
01
No Minimum Borrower Investment
02
Available For First-Time & Repeat Buyers
03
Get Up To 5% Of Loan Amount
04
Get Up To 5% Of Loan Amount
05
No Interest
06
Repayment Only Upon Selling or Refinancing
07
Stackable with VA, FHA, or Conventional Loans
Who Qualifies for metroDPA?
To qualify for down payment assistance through metroDPA for homes in Denver and the surrounding
counties, interested individuals or families should meet the following:
Credit score with a minimum of 640 FICO. This can be lowered to 620 in some instances
Credit score with a minimum of 640 FICO. This can be lowered to 620 in some instances
Property must be located in an eligible area — most of Colorado’s Front Range qualifies.
Must complete homebuyer education (8-hour HUD-approved course, free/low-cost online).
Who Qualifies for metroDPA?
To qualify for down payment assistance through metroDPA for homes in Denver and the surrounding
counties, interested individuals or families should meet the following:
metroDPA (City and County of Denver)
| County | Program Limit (Government & Conventional) |
At or Below 80% Limit (Certain Conventional) |
|---|---|---|
| Adams | $210,150 | $112,080 |
| Arapahoe | $210,150 | $112,080 |
| Boulder | $210,150 | $120,480 |
| Broomfield | $210,150 | $112,080 |
| Denver | $210,150 | $112,080 |
| Douglas | $210,150 | $112,080 |
| Elbert | $210,150 | $112,080 |
| Jefferson | $210,150 | $112,080 |
| Larimer | $210,150 | $102,080 |
| Weld | $210,150 | $90,880 |
Mortgage Programs That Stack With metroDPA
Because metroDPA functions as a second mortgage for home buyers in Denver and the surrounding
area, a primary mortgage program is used in conjunction with it. Popular stackable options include:
VA Loans
Available to eligible veterans, active-duty military, National Guard, reservists, and qualifying surviving spouses. VA loans require zero down payment, no private mortgage insurance, and typically offer the most competitive rates. Because Colorado’s Front Range includes Buckley Space Force Base and other military installations, many Denver-area buyers qualify. When stacked with metroDPA, veterans can apply metroDPA’s second mortgage toward the VA funding fee and closing costs — effectively closing on a home with almost nothing out of pocket beyond inspection and earnest money
FHA Loans
The most common government-backed mortgage for first-time and repeat buyers alike. FHA requires just 3.5% down payment and accepts credit scores as low as 580. When paired with metroDPA’s 5% second mortgage, the down payment requirement is fully covered — with remaining metroDPA funds typically applied to closing costs. FHA is particularly powerful for buyers whose income falls within metroDPA’s limits ($210,150 or less depending on county), making Denver metro homeownership genuinely reachable.
Conventional Loans
Traditional Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loans with down payment options as low as 3-5%. Best suited for buyers with credit scores above 640 who prefer the flexibility of conventional financing over government-backed products. When combined with metroDPA, conventional buyers can close with reduced out-of-pocket costs while avoiding FHA’s upfront mortgage insurance premium. Conventional loans layered with metroDPA are especially efficient for buyers in the higher income tier of metroDPA’s eligibility.
Jumbo Loans
For Colorado home purchases above the 2026 conforming loan limit of $832,750 (higher in mountain counties). Typically require 10-20% down and credit scores above 700. Jumbo loans generally cannot be paired with metroDPA because metroDPA’s income limits exclude jumbo-priced purchases. Forge originates jumbo loans as standalone financing for higher-price Colorado buyers who don’t need down payment assistance. If you’re near the conforming limit, we’ll evaluate whether conventional + metroDPA might work better.
Sample Down Payment Computation for a Home in Denver with metroDPA
Here’s what closing on a $525,000 Denver home looks like when you combine an FHA loan with
metroDPA’s silent second mortgage. Numbers are estimates only — actual costs depend on your credit,
income, and property. Contact Forge for a real quote.
| Item | Amount | Your Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $525,000 | — |
| FHA First Mortgage (96.5% LTV) | $506,625 | — |
| Down Payment Required (3.5%) | $18,375 | $0 (covered by metroDPA) |
| metroDPA Silent Second (5% of loan) | $25,331 | $0 out-of-pocket |
| Estimated Closing Costs | ~$15,000 | ~$8,000 (metroDPA covers rest) |
| Earnest Money + Inspection + Appraisal | — | ~$2,500 |
| TOTAL OUT-OF-POCKET AT CLOSE | ~$10,500 (or less with seller credits) |
Estimated Total Monthly Payment: ~$4,030
- First mortgage P&I (6.75%, 30-year): ~$3,285
- Property tax (Colorado avg 0.55%): ~$240
- Homeowners insurance: ~$150
- FHA MIP: ~$355
- metroDPA second mortgage: $0 (no monthly payment)
Interested in metroDPA?
Schedule a consultation with Forge Home Lending and we will assist you in owning a home in Colorado’s Front Range. Minimum 620 Credit Score. $210K Income Limit.
REAL CLIENT REVIEWS
What Colorado Homeowners Say
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Is metroDPA free money?
Not exactly. metroDPA functions as a silent second mortgage — you don't make monthly payments on it and it doesn't accrue interest, but you do repay it when you sell your home, refinance your first mortgage, or stop using the home as your primary residence. Unlike a grant (which is truly free), metroDPA is a deferred loan. That said, the practical effect at closing is similar: no cash out of your pocket, no monthly cost, no interest.
Can I combine metroDPA with a VA loan?
Yes. metroDPA stacks with VA loans, and this is one of the most powerful combinations available for Colorado veterans. Because VA loans already require zero down payment, using metroDPA's funds toward closing costs and the VA funding fee can result in near-zero out-of-pocket costs at closing.
How much can I get through metroDPA?
Up to 5% of your first mortgage loan amount. On a $500,000 first mortgage, that's $25,000 in second mortgage assistance you can apply toward your down payment and closing costs.
Do I have to be a first-time home buyer?
No. metroDPA is available for both first-time and repeat buyers, as long as you meet the income, credit, and area eligibility requirements. This makes it broader than programs like CHAC which require first-time buyer status.
Do I need to live in Denver to qualify?
No, but you do need to purchase a home in an eligible area. metroDPA covers most of Colorado's Front Range — including Aurora, Boulder, Broomfield, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties, and over 40 approved cities and towns. See the eligible areas section above
What credit score do I need for metroDPA?
640 FICO minimum for most cases. In certain scenarios, this can be reduced to 620. If your credit is below 620, we can outline a 60-90 day path to qualifying.
What if I sell my house shortly after buying?
You would repay the metroDPA second mortgage from your sale proceeds — the principal amount, no interest, no penalty. If your home has appreciated (as most Denver-area homes do), this typically comes out of your equity. If you're planning to move within 1-2 years of buying, discuss the math with a Forge advisor before applying.
Can metroDPA cover 100% of my down payment AND closing costs?
Often, yes. If your first mortgage is FHA (3.5% down), a 5% metroDPA second mortgage more than covers the down payment. The remaining ~$7,000-$10,000 typically goes toward closing costs. Combined with seller concessions (2-3% of purchase price common in Colorado), it's realistic to close with only earnest money, inspection, and appraisal costs out of pocket — often under $3,000 total.
Ready When You Are
Your Goals. Our Game Plan.
Schedule your free 30-minute consultation. We’ll review your credit, income, and goals — and map you to the right loan and DPA program. No pressure, no obligation.