What HUD programs are available in Colorado

Colorado residents can access several HUD housing programs through local public housing authorities and nonprofit organizations. The main programs are Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, public housing, and project-based rental information. Each program works differently, covers different areas of the state, and has its own waiting list and income limits.

Section 8 vouchers are administered by housing authorities in Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Fort Collins, and other cities. Public housing properties exist in most major Colorado communities. Project-based information is available through specific apartment complexes that have contracts with HUD, meaning the subsidy stays with the building rather than moving with you.

Colorado also runs state-level programs that layer on top of federal HUD programs, including emergency rental information and homeownership programs. These are separate from HUD but often work alongside it for people who need multiple forms of support.

Key Takeaways

  • Colorado has Section 8 voucher programs in Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Fort Collins, and smaller cities, each with separate waiting lists that can be years long.
  • Public housing in Colorado is managed by local authorities and typically serves households at or below 50% of area median income, with waiting times that vary by city.
  • Project-based rental information ties the subsidy to a specific apartment building, so you cannot move and keep the same subsidy, but some buildings have shorter waiting lists than Section 8.
  • Income limits and rent contribution percentages differ between programs and between cities, so the same household size may may have access to in one place but not another.
  • Colorado's state rental information and homeownership programs operate on different timelines and rules than federal HUD programs, and you may be able to use both.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers in Colorado

Section 8 vouchers in Colorado are issued by local public housing authorities, not by a single state office. The Denver Housing Authority, Colorado Springs Housing Authority, Boulder Housing Partners, and Fort Collins Housing Authority are the largest programs. Smaller authorities serve Pueblo, Greeley, and other cities. Each authority maintains its own waiting list, and you must be on the list in the specific city or county where you want to live.

Waiting lists in Colorado's major cities are typically closed or have multi-year waits. Denver's Section 8 list has been closed for years. Colorado Springs and Boulder periodically open their lists for short periods, usually announced through their websites and local nonprofits. Fort Collins and Pueblo have shorter waits in some years. You can contact each authority directly to ask whether their list is open and what the current wait time is.

Once you receive a voucher, you can rent any apartment in Colorado that meets HUD's housing quality standards and where the landlord agrees to participate. You pay 30% of your income toward rent, and the voucher covers the difference up to the local payment standard. Payment standards vary by county and bedroom size. In Denver, a two-bedroom payment standard is higher than in rural counties, so your voucher goes further outside the city.

Public housing in Colorado

Public housing is owned and operated directly by local housing authorities. Colorado has public housing properties in Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Fort Collins, Pueblo, and smaller communities. These are apartment buildings or townhomes where the authority is the landlord. Rent is typically 30% of household income, with a minimum rent that varies by property.

Income limits for public housing are usually 50% of area median income, though some properties serve households up to 80% of median income. A family of four in Denver earning $40,000 per year would likely be within the income range, but exact limits depend on the specific property and the current year's calculation. Contact the local authority to learn the current limits for properties in your area.

Waiting lists for public housing vary widely. Some properties have short waits of a few months, while others have lists several years long. Unlike Section 8, you explore to a specific property or group of properties, not to a general program. The authority can tell you which properties have the shortest current waits.

Project-based rental information in Colorado

Project-based rental information means the subsidy is attached to a specific apartment building, not to you. If you live in a project-based building and move out, you lose the subsidy. The advantage is that some project-based buildings have shorter waiting lists than Section 8 programs in the same city. The disadvantage is that you cannot move and keep your subsidy, and if the building loses its HUD contract, you may have to leave.

Colorado has project-based properties throughout the state, run by nonprofits and private owners under HUD contracts. Properties are concentrated in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Boulder, but exist in smaller cities too. Rent contribution is typically 30% of income. To find project-based buildings near you, contact your local housing authority or call 211 Colorado, which maintains a database of subsidized housing.

Waiting lists for project-based buildings are managed by each property owner, not by a central authority. You explore directly to the building. Some buildings prioritize people experiencing homelessness or people with disabilities, so may be able to access rules vary. Ask the building manager about current openings and what documentation they need.

Income limits and rent calculations across Colorado programs

HUD programs use area median income (AMI) to set income limits. Colorado has different AMI figures for Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, and rural counties. A household that is over the limit in Denver might be under the limit in a rural county. Income limits are recalculated each year, usually in April or May.

Rent contribution in all three programs is typically 30% of gross household income, with a minimum rent. Minimum rent varies by program and property but is usually $25 to $50 per month. If your income is very low, you still pay the minimum. If your income rises, your rent contribution rises with it.

Some households are exempt from the 30% calculation. Elderly people, people with disabilities, and people receiving certain benefits may have different rent rules. Ask your housing authority whether an exemption applies to you.

How to find and contact Colorado housing authorities

The Colorado Division of Housing maintains a list of all public housing authorities in the state on its website. You can also call 211 Colorado, a free referral line, and ask for the housing authority in your city or county. They will give you the phone number and website.

When you contact an authority, ask three things: whether their Section 8 waiting list is open, how long the current wait is, and whether they have project-based or public housing with shorter waits. Write down the answers and the date you called, because wait times change and you may need to reapply later.

Some authorities accept applications online. Others require you to explore in person or by mail. Ask which method they use and whether they have process information available. Many nonprofits in Colorado offer free help filling out housing applications.

Colorado state programs that work alongside HUD

Colorado's Emergency Rental information program is separate from HUD but serves people in the same income range. It covers back rent and utilities for people who fell behind during hardship. Unlike Section 8, which is ongoing, emergency information is one-time help. You can receive emergency information while waiting for a Section 8 voucher, or while living in public housing if you have an emergency expense.

Colorado also has homeownership programs through the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA). These include down payment information and low-interest mortgages for first-time buyers. CHFA programs are separate from HUD rental programs but may be relevant if you are considering buying instead of renting.

Contact the Colorado Division of Housing or call 211 to learn about current state programs, because funding and may be able to access change year to year. Some programs are fully funded and closed to new people, while others are actively taking applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on multiple waiting lists at the same time in Colorado?

Yes. You can be on Section 8 waiting lists in multiple cities, on public housing lists for different properties, and on project-based building lists all at the same time. There is no rule against it. Being on multiple lists increases your chances of receiving housing sooner, because you will hear back from whichever program moves fastest.

What happens if I move to a different city in Colorado while on a waiting list?

Your position on a waiting list in one city does not transfer to another city. If you move from Denver to Colorado Springs, you would need to explore to Colorado Springs' Section 8 program separately. Some authorities allow you to transfer your process if you move within their service area, so ask before you relocate.

Do I have to be a Colorado resident to explore for HUD housing?

Most Colorado housing authorities do not require you to be a resident before you explore, but some do require you to be a resident before you receive a voucher or lease a unit. Ask your local authority about their residency rules. Some will let you explore while you are still living out of state, as long as you move to Colorado before the voucher is issued.

What if I have a criminal record or eviction history?

HUD programs have rules about criminal history and evictions, but they do not automatically disqualify you. Each authority makes its own decisions. Contact the authority and ask what their policy is. Some will consider the age of the offense, the type of offense, and your circumstances since then. Nonprofits in Colorado can help you prepare your process if you have a record.

How do I know if a landlord accepts Section 8 vouchers?

You can search online rental listings and filter for "Section 8 accepted" or call landlords directly and ask. Your housing authority also maintains a list of landlords who have participated in the program before. Not all landlords accept vouchers, and some charge higher rents to voucher holders, which is illegal in Colorado. Report discrimination to your housing authority or to Colorado's Division of Housing.