CHFA SmartStep Plus
Down payment assistance grant up to the lesser of $25,000 or 3% of the first mortgage amount — OR a second-mortgage option for borrowers who need more.
A firefighter-owned mortgage brokerage in Boca Raton, serving Colorado police officers across every metro in the state. $0 lender fees for first responders. The income-structuring expertise national lenders skip on police officer files.
Colorado doesn't run a hero-specific DPA, but CHFA SmartStep Plus offers up to $25,000 grant assistance for eligible buyers. For police officers buying in Denver or the Springs, that grant layered with VA or FHA often closes the gap on rising Front Range prices.
This page is for Colorado police officers specifically — buying or refinancing anywhere in the state.
Down payment assistance grant up to the lesser of $25,000 or 3% of the first mortgage amount — OR a second-mortgage option for borrowers who need more.
Colorado Housing & Finance Authority's standard DPA options layered on a CHFA first mortgage.
FirstStep, FirstGeneration, and HomeAccess programs for buyers who fit specific categories.
Zero down, no PMI, reduced funding fee for disability-rated veterans. For police officers who served before joining their current field, we structure dual-eligible files that often clear closing with $0 out of pocket.
HUD federal program — 50% off the list price on HUD-owned properties in designated revitalization areas. Colorado Police Officers qualify (program also covers police, EMTs, paramedics, and K-12 teachers). 36-month occupancy commitment. Pairs with FHA financing.
For files that don't fit a DPA program — 3.5% down FHA, 3-5% down conventional, or non-QM bank-statement loans for police officers with 1099 side income. Every Colorado department has one.
Most departments stack shift differentials (overnight, weekend, court) and pay officers for approved off-duty work (special events, traffic, security). Both count when documented over 24 months. National lenders frequently miss the off-duty income because it shows up as separate W-2 entries — we know to ask for it.
Court appearances and overtime are documented but irregular. A 24-month history with consistent annual totals counts as qualifying income. We submit it as recurring income, not a one-time bonus.
K-9, SWAT, narcotics, motorcycle, detective, sergeant grade, language certifications — each one adds to base pay and each one is documentable. We attach the department's pay matrix so underwriting sees the structure, not just a single number.
Probationary officers and recent academy graduates often face pushback on continuity-of-employment rules. We document the academy completion + department offer + prior related work (military, security, criminal justice degree) to satisfy continuity without a 1-2 year delay.
Police pension systems work like fire systems — many states offer DROP. We structure pre-DROP, in-DROP, and post-DROP files the way underwriting wants to see them, not the way the average lender botches them.
We close mortgages in every Colorado county. The cities and metros where Colorado police officers most commonly buy:
Yes — and both are commonly missed by national lenders. With a 24-month history, off-duty special-event pay, court time, and overtime all count toward qualifying income. We've placed Colorado officer files where off-duty income alone moved the loan amount by $70,000–$120,000.
Yes. K-9, SWAT, motor unit, detective grade, language certifications, and rank differentials all count when documented on your paystub or department pay matrix. We attach the matrix to the file so underwriting sees the full structure, not just base salary.
You can usually still qualify. We document the academy completion, the department offer letter, and any prior related work (military, security, criminal justice education) to satisfy continuity-of-employment rules. No 1-2 year wait.
If you're a Colorado police officer — active, retired, or family of — we know how to structure your file. No documents required to start. No commitment.