Colorado Teacher Down Payment Assistance
October 28, 2026
October 28, 2026
Are you a Colorado teacher, school administrator, or public school employee who dreams of owning a home in the community where you work?
Buying a home in Colorado can be challenging, especially for teachers and school employees who want to live close to their schools. High home prices, mortgage payments, and the money needed for a down payment can make homeownership seem out of reach.
But there may be good news!
The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) Schools To Home program was created to help eligible Colorado public school employees purchase homes in the communities where they work.
The CHFA Schools To Home program is a Colorado homeownership assistance program designed specifically for eligible public school employees.
Authorized by the Colorado General Assembly and supported by an investment from the Public School Permanent Fund, the program helps school employees overcome one of the biggest challenges of buying a home: saving enough money for a down payment and closing costs.
The goal is simple: Help Colorado teachers and public school employees become homeowners and live closer to the schools and communities they serve.
Eligible homebuyers may qualify for down payment and closing cost assistance of up to 25% of their first mortgage loan amount.
The program includes:
Example: Buying a $450,000 Home in Colorado
Suppose you qualify for a first mortgage of $400,000.
The program may provide assistance of up to $100,000, equal to 25% of that first mortgage amount, subject to program requirements.
That assistance could make purchasing a home more achievable without having to save the entire down payment yourself.
Important: This is not free grant money. The second mortgage must eventually be repaid, along with any required shared appreciation payment. Repayment may be triggered when you sell, refinance, pay off your first mortgage, reach the end of the loan term, or stop using the property as your primary residence.
Actual assistance amounts, eligibility, and mortgage terms depend on CHFA's program requirements and lender approval.
The Schools To Home program is intended for eligible Colorado public school employees.
Depending on the program's official eligibility rules, potential applicants may include teachers, school administrators, counselors, and other qualifying school employees.
Whether you work in a classroom, school office, or another position supporting Colorado public education, it is worth checking whether your employment qualifies.
Eligibility is determined by CHFA and participating lenders. Not every position or school employer necessarily qualifies.
Colorado's real estate market has been changing, and buyers in many communities are finding opportunities that were harder to obtain during the highly competitive housing market of previous years.
In some Front Range neighborhoods, home prices have declined from earlier highs, and buyers may have more negotiating power.
This can mean:
Although some markets have experienced price reductions from 1.5% to over 3%, across the entire Front Range.
No one can predict exactly when Colorado home prices will reach their lowest point. However, buyers who can comfortably afford a home may find worthwhile opportunities in today's changing market.
For eligible teachers and public school employees, combining CHFA down payment assistance with a favorable home purchase could make homeownership more affordable.
If you work in a public school along Colorado's Front Range, you may be interested in buying a home in or near one of these communities:
Denver and surrounding neighborhoods
Home prices and availability vary between these communities.
Whether you are searching for an affordable starter home, condominium, townhome, or single-family home, the right home may be closer than you think.
Teachers and public school employees are an important part of every Colorado community.
When school employees can afford to live near their workplaces, they may enjoy shorter commutes, lower transportation expenses, more time with their families, and stronger connections to the neighborhoods they serve.
The CHFA Schools To Home program recognizes the importance of helping school employees establish long-term roots in their communities.
Your first step is to find out whether you qualify for the CHFA Schools To Home program.
We have a list of qualified participating mortgage lenders that can explain the income requirements, credit qualifications, mortgage options, assistance amounts, and shared appreciation obligations.
You can also begin exploring available Colorado homes to understand which neighborhoods and price ranges fit your budget.
Are you a Colorado teacher or public school employee interested in buying a home near where you work?
Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or looking for your next home, I can help you search for properties, compare neighborhoods, and connect with the appropriate resources to learn more about available financing programs.
Donald Preisser | REALTOR®
HomeSmart
Website: https://ColoradosLuxuryHomes.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 303-875-9292
Your Colorado homeownership journey could begin today. Explore available homes and learn whether Colorado's Schools To Home down payment assistance program could help make your dream of homeownership a reality.
Program terms, funding availability, and eligibility are subject to CHFA requirements. All mortgage financing requires lender approval. This article is informational and does not constitute a mortgage commitment or guarantee of assistance.
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