Buying or refinancing in Colorado is not a one-size-fits-all process. As a Colorado mortgage broker with over 400 closings across the state, we know that firsthand.
We have proven experience across Colorado Springs, Denver, Boulder, and the mountain communities.
That means no wasted time. No costly mistakes. Just a clear path from application to keys in hand.
Colorado’s mortgage market is not simple. Denver’s urban core, Boulder’s tech economy, Colorado Springs’ military population, and Aspen’s luxury market all create different problems for borrowers. The broker you choose needs to have solved those problems before. We have.
As an independent Colorado mortgage broker, we do not work for a single bank. We work for you. That gives us access to dozens of wholesale lenders. But access alone is not the point. What matters is knowing which lender fits which borrower in which part of the state. That knowledge comes from 400+ loans closed across Colorado’s most varied markets.
From standard purchases to complex, high-value deals across every region of the state. That track record means fewer surprises for you.
Self-employed income, bank statement programs, jumbo financing, and alternative documentation. We handle what other lenders turn away.
We know the difference between financing a condo in Denver and a ski property in Summit County. Each one requires a different approach.
You talk to Reed from first call to closing day. No hand-offs, no call centers, and no guessing who is handling your file.
Every loan type below serves a different kind of Colorado borrower. We do not just offer these programs. We know exactly when each one is the right fit based on your financial picture, your property type, and your county.
The go-to for Colorado buyers with solid credit and at least 3% down. A strong option across the Front Range for borrowers who want to avoid upfront mortgage insurance fees.
Conventional LoansA strong path for first-time buyers in Denver, Pueblo, Lakewood, and other metro areas. Credit scores as low as 580 with 3.5% down. We pair FHA with CHFA assistance regularly.
FHA LoansColorado Springs has one of the highest military populations in the nation. If you have served and you are buying near Fort Carson, Peterson SFB, or Buckley SFB, VA means zero down and no monthly mortgage insurance.
VA LoansParts of the Eastern Plains, Western Slope, and San Luis Valley qualify for USDA financing. That means zero down payment and low rates for eligible rural Colorado families.
USDA LoansBuying in Eagle, Pitkin, Summit, or San Miguel county often means a loan above conforming limits. We have closed jumbo loans across Colorado’s resort and luxury markets with lenders most banks cannot access.
Jumbo LoansBank statements, asset depletion, and DSCR for investors. Colorado’s large freelance, tech, and small business workforce often needs a loan that does not rely on tax returns alone.
Non-QM LoansColorado homeowners age 62 and older can tap into home equity without monthly payments. This is especially useful for long-time Front Range owners who’ve seen large gains in property value.
Reverse MortgageFor investment properties, mixed-use buildings, and business real estate. Commercial loans follow different underwriting standards than residential programs and are reviewed on a deal-by-deal basis.
Commercial LoansColorado’s housing market breaks into distinct zones, and each one affects which mortgage makes sense and which lender is the right match. The story changes depending on where you are buying.
Along the Front Range from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs, most buyers fall into conventional or FHA territory. Prices in Boulder and parts of Denver can push into high-balance or even jumbo range. In mountain resort counties like Eagle, Pitkin, and San Miguel, median prices clear seven figures, which means jumbo financing with unique property requirements like condo-hotel rules and HOA reviews. On the Eastern Plains and Western Slope, prices are lower, and USDA eligibility opens the door to zero-down financing in towns like Montrose, Alamosa, and Sterling.
This is why working with a Colorado mortgage broker who has closed loans in every one of these markets matters. A lender in Miami doesn’t know that Summit County condos need a specific warrantability review. Similarly, a national call center won’t flag that your Larimer County property sits in a wildfire zone that will drive up insurance and affect your qualifying ratio. We catch those details because we’ve seen them before.
The FHFA sets conforming loan limits each year. Colorado has a wide range because of the gap between its baseline and high-cost counties. Here’s how 1-4 unit limits break down for 2026.
Select your county to see the exact 2026 conforming loan limits.
| Property Type | 2026 Limit |
|---|
FHA limits are often lower than conforming limits but vary significantly by county. Select your county below to see the 1-4 unit limits for 2026.
| Property Type | 2026 FHA Limit |
|---|
Anything above your county’s limit requires a jumbo loan with different terms and guidelines. You can check the exact limit for your county on the FHFA loan limits page. Knowing where your purchase price falls relative to these limits is one of the first things we sort out together.
The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) offers down payment assistance for buyers who meet income and purchase price limits. Their programs can cover part or all of the down payment as a second mortgage or grant. We pair CHFA assistance with FHA or conventional first mortgages regularly for buyers across the Front Range. If you think you might qualify, bring it up during your first conversation with Reed.
One more thing Colorado buyers should know in 2026: homeowners insurance costs have jumped in many foothill and mountain communities because of wildfire risk. Lenders factor insurance into your debt-to-income ratio, so higher premiums can reduce how much you qualify for. We account for this early so there are no surprises at the closing table.
As a Colorado mortgage broker, we serve a wide range of borrowers across the state. Here are the profiles we see most often.
First-time buyers in Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, and Colorado Springs who want to use FHA or CHFA down payment assistance. Many of these buyers have been told by a bank that they do not qualify. We often find a lender whose guidelines are a better match for their situation.
Military families and veterans near Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever SFB, Buckley SFB, and the Air Force Academy. Colorado Springs has one of the highest concentrations of VA-eligible buyers in the country. VA loans are one of our most active programs.
Self-employed and complex income borrowers in Boulder, Denver, and resort towns. Colorado’s economy includes a large number of 1099 contractors, tech founders, and small business owners. Standard tax returns do not always show their real income. We have lenders that use 12 or 24 months of bank statements instead.
Move-up and luxury buyers in mountain communities like Breckenridge, Aspen, Telluride, and Steamboat Springs. These purchases often require jumbo financing with flexible terms, and we have wholesale access to lenders that specialize in resort property.
Rural buyers on the Eastern Plains or Western Slope who may qualify for USDA financing with zero down. Towns like Montrose, Alamosa, and Sterling fall within USDA-eligible areas.
I’m Reed Letson, the broker behind Elevation Mortgage. I built this brokerage because I kept seeing the same problem. A borrower walks into a bank, and if they do not fit that bank’s one set of guidelines, they get a “no.” But the answer was never really “no.” It was “not here.” As an independent broker, I have access to dozens of wholesale lenders. When one says no, I move to another. I have closed over 400 loans in Colorado, from straightforward FHA purchases in the Springs to million-dollar jumbo deals in the mountains. Every client works with me directly, start to finish. That is what makes us a different kind of Colorado mortgage broker.
You probably have questions specific to your unique situation. That's exactly the kind of conversation we're here for.
No forms, no pressure, just straight answers.
A bank offers its own products. Period. If you do not fit their guidelines, you get turned down. An independent Colorado mortgage broker like Elevation Mortgage has access to dozens of wholesale lenders and can match your situation to the lender whose guidelines fit best. That is not just about rates. It is about finding the right approval for your specific income, property type, and credit profile.
Yes. We are licensed across the entire state and work with buyers in Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Boulder, the mountain resort communities, Western Slope cities like Grand Junction and Montrose, and rural areas on the Eastern Plains.
They range from $832,750 in baseline counties like Pueblo and Weld to $1,249,125 in high-cost resort counties like Eagle and Pitkin, according to the FHFA. Many Front Range counties fall in between. Anything above your county’s limit requires a jumbo loan with different guidelines.
Yes. Self-employed borrowers are one of our most common client types. We have lenders that accept 12 or 24 months of bank statements instead of tax returns, plus asset-based programs for borrowers with strong savings or investments. Colorado has a large freelance and contractor workforce, so we handle this type of loan regularly.
Yes. The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority offers several down payment assistance programs for qualified buyers, and we combine CHFA assistance with FHA or conventional first mortgages regularly. Income and purchase price limits apply, so we check your eligibility early in the process.
The down payment percentages shown in the program comparison table above are minimum advertised figures and constitute trigger terms under the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) / Regulation Z. Accordingly, the following full disclosure applies.Rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Not all applicants will qualify. This is not a commitment to lend. Loan approval is subject to credit approval, income verification, appraisal, and program eligibility at the time of application. Down payment requirements, credit score minimums, and program availability vary by loan type and lender overlay.