Denver Metro Mortgage Hub: Conforming Limits, Metro Denver DPA and Neighborhood Taxes
Updated October 2026
A Denver home search can cross several county lines before the first showing ends. That matters because mortgage limits, property taxes and assistance eligibility follow the property and program—not the metro-area label. Switchback Sunroom starts the comparison with three numbers: your loan amount, the parcel’s actual tax bill and an address-specific insurance quote.
Match the loan limit to the county
For 2026, the baseline conforming limit for a one-unit home is $832,750. El Paso, Larimer, Weld, Mesa and Pueblo use that baseline, while Denver and surrounding metro counties have higher ceilings, around $862,500 or more, depending on the county. Boulder has a higher tier above $900,000.
The important comparison is the mortgage balance, not the purchase price. A $950,000 purchase with 20% down produces a $760,000 loan, below the baseline limit. A smaller down payment could move that same purchase into high-balance or jumbo territory. Use FHFA Loan Limits to identify the applicable county ceiling before choosing a down payment.
Compare assistance with the full payment
CHFA FirstStep, SmartStep and Preferred offer different financing paths. Depending on the eligible program combination, assistance can include a DPA Grant up to 3% or a Second Mortgage up to 4%. Those percentages are not interchangeable cash discounts: repayment terms, qualifying rules and the accompanying first-mortgage pricing matter.
Start with the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), then compare assisted and unassisted scenarios using the monthly payment calculator.
- Enter the property’s current taxes rather than a metro-wide average.
- Include mortgage insurance and any HOA payment.
- Price homeowners coverage with the actual wind/hail deductible.
- Keep a separate reserve for repairs and moving expenses.
Read the parcel before selecting the neighborhood
Colorado’s relatively low residential assessment rate does not guarantee a low tax bill. A newer subdivision’s Metro District can add 35–75 or more mills, materially changing monthly escrow requirements. Established neighborhoods may have different district obligations; age alone is not proof of lower taxes.
A percentage-based hail deductible also deserves attention. At 1%–2% of a $600,000 insured dwelling value, the deductible would be $6,000–$12,000.
Colorado purchases commonly finish at a title company table closing. Use the closing cost estimator to budget title charges, prepaid insurance and escrow deposits separately from the state documentary fee, which is only $0.10 per $1,000 of consideration. Small recording-related taxes do not make the entire closing inexpensive.
Compare Current Mortgage Rates
Compare current APRs, points, fees, and estimated monthly payments from participating lenders below.
Loan Program Comparison: 2026 Benchmarks
Denver Metro Mortgage Hub: Conforming Limits, Metro Denver DPA and Neighborhood Taxes — Choose a mortgage by comparing eligibility, upfront cash and total monthly costs, not the advertised rate alone. Conventional, FHA, VA and USDA serve different borrowers. Confirm county limits, taxes, insurance and lender requirements before comparing personalized Loan Estimates for your household.
Historical 2025 one-unit comparison: conforming $806,500; FHA floor $524,225. County and unit-count limits can differ.
| Loan program | Down payment / equity | 2026 one-unit baseline | Costs and page-specific comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 3%–5% subject to eligibility | $832,750 | PMI generally below 20% down |
| FHA | 3.5% at 580+; 10% at 500–579 | $541,287 floor | 1.75% upfront MIP; 0.55% annual for >95% LTV, base loan ≤$726,200, term >15 years |
| VA | 0% for eligible borrowers | No VA limit with full entitlement | No monthly PMI; funding fee unless exempt |
| USDA | 0% for eligible borrowers | Income, address and repayment eligibility | Guarantee and annual fees; confirm current schedule |
| Jumbo | Lender-specific cash and reserves | Above applicable conforming limit | Lender-specific pricing and insurance |
| Home Equity / Refinance | Equity and underwriting dependent | Property and lender dependent | Compare closing costs, term and break-even |
Sources: FHFA limits; HUD FHA limits.
Editorial Methodology & Primary Sources
Verification date: Not recorded; check the primary source and lender timestamp before relying on an estimate.
Rate comparisons use participating lender feeds, not a whole-market survey or guaranteed offers. Freddie Mac PMMS is a market benchmark, not a personalized quote. Calculator models rely on published regulatory formulas and disclosed assumptions rather than fabricated first-person loan testing.
Monthly principal and interest use the amortization formula P × r / (1 − (1 + r)−n), where r is the monthly note rate and n is the number of payments; at zero interest use P / n. PITI adds monthly property taxes and homeowners insurance; PMI is separate. APR includes applicable finance charges under Regulation Z and is not the note rate used for payments. Compare lender Loan Estimates for actual APR and fees.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) — Loan Estimates, APR and borrower disclosures; Regulation Z.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD / FHA) — FHA program guidance.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — VA loan eligibility and benefits.
- Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) — published rate benchmarks.
- U.S. Census state tax collections — state property tax benchmarks; confirm parcel-specific assessments and exemptions with the state revenue department and local assessor.
The payment snapshot uses illustrative annual taxes of 1% of home price, $1,200 insurance and 0.5% PMI below 20% down, not verified local quotes. Other calculators disclose their inputs and assumptions. Published guidance and lender feeds may change independently; confirm current program rules, taxes and offers before a decision.