Colorado mortgage rates in 2026 — what to expect.
There's no such thing as today's rate — there's only your rate. Here's what actually drives it, what's moving the market right now, and how to get your real number.
Rates by state
State-specific pricing, loan limits, and market commentary.
What actually determines your rate
Six factors do most of the work. Knowing how each one moves your pricing is the difference between guessing at a rate and understanding the number you're quoted.
Credit Score
FICO drives pricing more than any other single factor. The best conventional pricing kicks in at 740+, and every 20-point drop below 740 typically adds 0.125%–0.25% to your rate. Below 680, pricing hits start stacking quickly.
Down Payment / LTV
Loan-to-value matters as much as credit on conventional loans. 25%+ down gets the best pricing, 20% is the next tier, and anything above 80% LTV adds either PMI or a rate adjustment. FHA and VA price flat regardless of LTV.
Loan Type
Government loans (VA, FHA, USDA) almost always price below conventional — sometimes by a full 0.5%. Conventional is the middle tier. Jumbo and DSCR investor loans sit higher because they aren't backed by Fannie, Freddie, or a government agency.
Property Type
Single-family detached primary homes get the best pricing. Condos add ~0.25–0.75% depending on LTV. Second homes add ~0.375%, and investment properties add anywhere from 0.75% to 1.5% on conventional loans.
Occupancy
Owner-occupied is the cheapest money on the market. Second homes price slightly higher. Investment property pricing depends on LTV and reserves — and DSCR loans (qualifying on the rental income, not your W-2) trade easier underwriting for a higher rate.
Lock Period
30-day locks are the standard benchmark. 15-day locks can shave a touch off pricing if you're ready to close fast. 45- and 60-day locks cost slightly more but protect you on longer purchase contracts and new construction.
What's moving rates right now
Mortgage Rates Today: MBS Lower on Weak Housing Data
Mortgage-backed securities are down 3 basis points this morning (UMBS 30-year 5.5 at 99.16), roughly 13 basis points lower than yesterday at this time. A large batch of economic data had little initial impact, but the housing numbers are getting attention.
July Housing Starts fell 12% from June to an annual rate of 1.24 million, well below the 1.35 million consensus. That follows a 19% jump last month and points to a bumpy recovery in new home construction. On the flip side, Building Permits rose 5% from June, beating expectations and suggesting builders are still pulling permits even as starts lag.
Other data this morning: July Import Prices fell 0.4% from June versus expectations for a slight increase. July Industrial Production rose 0.2%, close to consensus. July Pending Home Sales dropped 2.3% from June, worse than the expected small gain. The Dow is down about 50 points.
The takeaway for homebuyers
Weaker housing and import price data give the Fed more room to hold or cut rates later this year, which is generally supportive for mortgage rates. But MBS are still trading lower this morning, so the improvement isn't showing up in rate sheets yet. If you're shopping, stay in touch with your loan officer today — pricing can shift quickly as lenders digest the data.
For borrowers already under contract
With MBS down on the day and volatility still elevated, this is a risky environment to float. If you're within 30 days of closing and like the rate you're quoted, locking protects you from further MBS weakness. If you have more time, we can talk through a float-down strategy.
At Tayton Capital, we price your scenario across 30+ wholesale investors and update quotes as markets move. Whether you're buying in Colorado, Florida, or anywhere else, we'll give you a real number based on today's market — not a generic rate advertised online.
Get your actual rate.
There's no such thing as today's rate — there's only your rate, based on your full picture. Tell us about your loan and we'll give you a real number, usually within a few hours.
No credit pull required for an initial quote. No obligation.
Mortgage rate FAQ
Why don't you just post today's rate?+
Because there's no such thing as one rate. Two borrowers applying on the same day for the same loan amount can get rates 0.75% apart based on credit, LTV, property type, and occupancy. Posting a single number would either mislead the people who don't qualify for it or undersell the people who qualify for better. We'd rather quote you your actual rate.
How quickly can I get a real quote?+
Usually within a few hours of you submitting your scenario, and almost always within one business day. We price your file across 30+ wholesale investors and send back a written quote with the rate, APR, and itemized closing costs.
What about discount points — should I buy down my rate?+
Sometimes. You can typically buy down your rate by ~0.25% by paying 1 discount point (1% of the loan amount) upfront. Whether it makes sense depends on how long you'll keep the loan — we calculate your break-even before you decide, and show you both options side by side.
What's the difference between rate and APR?+
The rate is the cost of borrowing the money. APR rolls in the lender fees and expresses them as an annualized cost so you can compare loans apples-to-apples. APR is always equal to or higher than the rate. We itemize every fee in writing before you lock — no surprises at closing.
When can I lock my rate?+
On a purchase, once you're under contract on a home. On a refinance, once you submit your application. Lock periods of 15, 30, 45, and 60 days are available, and most programs offer a float-down option if rates improve materially before closing.
Do Colorado rates differ from national rates?+
Base rates are national, but Colorado's high-cost counties (Eagle, Pitkin, San Miguel, Summit, and others) qualify for high-balance conforming pricing — which is typically 0.25–0.5% better than jumbo on loans between the standard conforming limit and the local high-cost limit. That's a real advantage if you're buying in the mountains.
Ready for a real number on your scenario?
We'll price your actual credit, down payment, and Colorado county across 30+ wholesale investors — and send a written quote within one business day.