Inspection
Find the inspection termination, objection, and resolution deadlines in the signed contract. They are different jobs, and the dates are filled in for your deal.
Homebuyer guide
Buying a home in Colorado
Start with the exact address, then make the contract clock visible. The address tells you about taxes, water, insurance, permits, districts, and land rights. The signed contract tells you when the inspection, title, insurance, loan, and closing work has to be done.
Once you are under contract
Know what each deadline is protecting
The Colorado Real Estate Commission form has many named deadlines. Your contract may use different dates, added terms, or a different form. Start with the document everyone signed.
Title
Read the title commitment and the recorded documents listed as exceptions. Put the record-title and title-objection deadlines beside them.
Insurance and loan
Get a bindable insurance answer and finish the loan review before the contract deadlines tied to property insurance, loan terms, and loan availability.
Closing forms
For most purchase mortgages, the lender must provide a Loan Estimate within three business days after it has the six key application items. The Closing Disclosure is due at least three business days before closing.
First move
Put the official local record beside the listing
Choose the property's county to open the assessor, tax-bill, permit, and planning starting points. A listing tells the home's story. The local record helps you check the address.
Not sure which county? Browse Colorado places.
The right office depends on the county.
Choose one to see the official links for the task in front of you.
The path
Work through the home in four stages
Open only the stage in front of you. Each link takes you to the longer explanation, calculator, or local office path.
1
Before an offer
Check the address, not just the house
A good first pass tells you which local layers come with the property and which questions need a closer look.
- Find the county and local offices Open the place page, then use the county assessor, tax, permit, and planning links for the address.
- Estimate the property tax Use the asking price as a starting value, then look at the actual taxing districts for the parcel.
- Ask how the home gets water City water, a district tap, a private well, ditch shares, and water rights are different things.
- Get an insurance quote early Screen the neighborhood, then get a bindable quote for the exact address. The roof, wildfire exposure, and insurer can change the answer.
- Look for district and land layers Check metro districts, the HOA, easements, mineral reservations, and other rights tied to the land.
2
Under contract
Use the deadline while you still have choices
Your contract sets the clock. Keep the property questions beside the inspection, title, loan, and insurance work.
- Read the seller's disclosure and inspection results together Use the documents to make a list of follow-up questions for the inspector and the right specialist.
- Check permit history Ask the city or county whether additions, finished spaces, roofs, and major systems have records.
- Confirm water, well, and septic records Match what the listing says with the provider, permit, recorded documents, and inspection results.
- Read the title work for land rights Pay attention to easements, access, mineral reservations, water documents, and recorded restrictions.
3
Before closing
Turn the estimates into real numbers
The lender, title company, insurer, and county records should now replace the rough figures you started with.
- Read the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure Compare the itemized loan costs, prepaid items, credits, and cash needed at closing.
- Confirm the tax and district picture Check the parcel's value, tax statement, district list, and any metro district documents.
- Make sure insurance is ready Confirm the policy, lender requirements, deductibles, and any mitigation work tied to coverage.
- Build the after-closing calendar Put the vehicle, property-tax, valuation, protest, and exemption dates in one place.
4
After closing
Keep the first year from sneaking up on you
A few jobs arrive well after the keys. Save the county links and watch the dates on the notices you receive.
- Read the first tax statement and value notice Check the owner name, property details, value, tax districts, and payment status.
- Register vehicles and update local records Use the county motor vehicle office and the state DMV guide for the steps tied to your move.
- Keep permits and home records together Save closing papers, inspections, insurance records, permits, receipts, and major repair documents.
FAQ
Quick answers
What should I check before making an offer on a Colorado home?
Start with the exact address. Find the county property record, estimate the tax, identify the water source, get an insurance quote, and look for district, permit, HOA, access, and land-rights questions that need follow-up.
Which dates matter after a Colorado offer is accepted?
Use the dates written into your signed contract. Common checkpoints include inspection termination, objection, and resolution; title commitment and title objection; property insurance; loan terms and availability; closing; and possession. A sample contract cannot tell you the dates for your deal.
Why is the town name not enough?
A mailing city can cover more than one county or include an unincorporated address. City limits, special districts, water providers, tax areas, and permit offices can change across a short distance.
When should I get a home-insurance quote?
As early as you can, and before a contract or lending deadline leaves little room to change course. Use the exact address and ask what the quote assumes about the roof, wildfire mitigation, deductibles, and prior claims.
Where can I check a home's permit history?
Start with the building office that serves the exact address. It may be a city, county, or regional office. Ask that office where to search permits and whether older records live somewhere else.
Does this checklist replace an inspection, title review, or professional advice?
No. It helps you organize the questions. Your contract and the people handling the inspection, title, loan, insurance, survey, water, and legal work control the details for the property.
Sources and review
Where this information comes from
This guide uses the current Colorado Real Estate Commission residential contract, federal mortgage forms, and official Colorado property, water, insurance, and local-office sources.
Reviewed: July 27, 2026 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Loan Estimate Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Closing Disclosure Colorado Real Estate Commission: contracts and forms Colorado Division of Property Taxation Colorado Property Tax Entities and Mill Levies map Colorado Division of Water Resources Colorado Division of Insurance Colorado county assessor directory
Use this carefully: This is a planning guide, not a decision about a particular property or contract. Confirm the exact address, documents, dates, and professional advice for the home you are buying.
Next steps
Put the first numbers and dates on paper
Start with the cost, the local record, and the calendar that follows closing.
Calculator
Property tax estimator
Turn the home value and local mill levy into a planning estimate.
Estimate the taxCalculator
Closing cost calculator
Estimate cash to close before the lender and title company provide final figures.
Estimate cash to closeTimeline
Homebuyer and mover timeline
Build a calendar for the dates that arrive after closing.
Build the timeline