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If you have fallen behind on your mortgage, the worst thing you can do is wait and hope it fixes itself. The best thing you can do is get free, unbiased advice from someone who has nothing to sell you. In Colorado, that advice is available right now from HUD-approved housing counselors — and in many cases it costs you little or nothing.
Below you will find the closest HUD-approved counseling agencies serving the Denver metro and Front Range, what they do, and how a short sale may help you walk away with your credit and your dignity intact. This is the same information The Kenna Real Estate Group team shares with every homeowner who calls us in a tough spot — no pressure, no judgment.
What Is a HUD-Approved Housing Counselor?
A HUD-approved housing counselor is an agency vetted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Their job is to give you independent advice about your mortgage situation — whether that is a loan modification, a repayment plan, a short sale, or simply understanding your options — based on your goals and your circumstances.
The key word is independent. These counselors do not earn a commission on your decision. They are not trying to sell you a refinance or list your home. That makes them one of the most trustworthy first phone calls you can make when money gets tight. You can also reach the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at 1-855-411-CFPB (2372) or search the full national list at hud.gov.
HUD-Approved Housing Counselors Near You in Colorado
These are the ten closest HUD-approved agencies to the south Denver metro area (Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Castle Rock, and the surrounding Douglas County communities). Most offer mortgage delinquency counseling, budgeting help, and foreclosure-prevention services.
1. Douglas County Housing Partnership
9350 Heritage Hills Circle, Lone Tree, CO 80124
Phone: 303-784-7859
Website: douglascountyhousingpartnership.org
Languages: English, Spanish
Services: Mortgage delinquency & default resolution counseling, budgeting and credit repair workshops, pre-purchase counseling and homebuyer education.
2. NSC (NACA Counseling Subsidiary) — Denver
14707 East 2nd Avenue, Suite 110, Aurora, CO 80011
Phone: 303-694-5437
Website: naca.com
Languages: English, Spanish
Services: Mortgage delinquency & default resolution, financial and budget counseling, predatory lending education, fair-housing and pre-purchase workshops.
3. Colorado Housing Assistance Corporation
670 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80204
Phone: 303-572-9445
Website: chaconline.org
Languages: English
Services: Mortgage delinquency & default resolution counseling, pre-purchase counseling and homebuyer education workshops.
4. Northeast Denver Housing Center
2416 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
Phone: 303-377-3334 ext. 229
Website: nedenverhousing.org
Languages: English
Services: Mortgage delinquency & default resolution, budget counseling, home improvement and rehabilitation counseling, rental counseling, reverse mortgage counseling, pre-purchase education.
5. NEWSED Community Development Corporation
901 W 10th Ave, Ste 2A, Denver, CO 80204
Website: newsed.org
Email: [email protected]
Languages: English, French, Spanish
Services: Mortgage delinquency & default resolution, budget counseling, home improvement counseling, predatory lending education, pre-purchase counseling and homebuyer education.
6. Community Economic Defense Project
1600 N Downing St, Ste 600, Denver, CO 80218
Phone: 303-276-5705
Website: cedproject.org
Languages: English, Spanish
Services: Mortgage delinquency & default resolution, foreclosure-prevention workshops, homeless services counseling, rental counseling and workshops, pre-purchase education.
7. Southwest Improvement Council
5045 W 1st Ave, Denver, CO 80219
Phone: 303-934-0923
Languages: English
Services: Mortgage delinquency & default resolution, budget counseling, fair-housing pre-purchase education, rental counseling.
8. Denver Housing Authority
3550 W 13th Ave, Denver, CO 80204
Phone: 720-956-3806
Languages: English
Services: Mortgage delinquency & default resolution, foreclosure-prevention workshops, budget counseling, pre-purchase counseling and homebuyer education.
9. Brothers Redevelopment, Inc.
2250 Eaton St, Ste B, Edgewater, CO 80214
Phone: 303-202-6340
Website: brothersredevelopment.org
Languages: English
Services: Mortgage delinquency & default resolution, budget counseling, homeless services counseling, rental counseling and workshops, pre-purchase education.
10. Operation HOPE — Commerce City
6565 E 73rd Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022
Phone: 571-544-2282
Website: operationhope.org
Languages: English
Services: Homeless services counseling, pre-purchase counseling and homebuyer education workshops.
What Is Pre-Foreclosure?
Pre-foreclosure is the window after you have missed payments but before the lender completes a foreclosure sale. In Colorado, this period gives you real options — and real time to act. Once the foreclosure process is complete, those options disappear.
During pre-foreclosure you may be able to: catch up on missed payments, negotiate a loan modification, sell the home on the open market, or pursue a short sale. The right path depends on your equity, your income, and how far behind you are. A HUD counselor can help you understand which doors are still open.
What Is a Short Sale — and Could It Be Right for You?
A short sale happens when you sell your home for less than what you owe on the mortgage, and the lender agrees to accept the proceeds as settlement. It is called "short" because the sale comes up short of the full loan balance.
For many Colorado homeowners, a short sale is far less damaging than a foreclosure. A short sale is a sale you control — you choose the agent, you participate in the negotiation, and in many cases the credit impact is shorter-lived than a completed foreclosure. It can also help you avoid the public, drawn-out foreclosure process entirely.
A short sale is not the right answer for everyone. There can be tax and legal consequences, and lender approval is required. We are real estate professionals, not attorneys or tax advisors, so we always recommend speaking with a HUD counselor, a tax professional, and where appropriate an attorney before you decide. What we can do is handle the real estate side expertly and walk beside you the whole way.
Why Homeowners in Distress Call The Kenna Real Estate Group
Brian Burke has spent more than 25 years in real estate and construction, including 13 years as a multifamily construction superintendent. That background means our team understands homes, value, and negotiation at a level most agents simply do not. When you are facing a short sale, that experience matters — because the lender has to be convinced the price reflects the property's true condition and the realities of the market.
We have guided homeowners across the Front Range — from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs — through difficult sales with discretion and zero judgment. Our job is to protect your interests, communicate clearly at every step, and help you move forward. As we like to say, we are here to keep Helping You Find Your Pad™ — even when that means a fresh start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a short sale hurt my credit as much as a foreclosure?
Generally, a short sale is considered less damaging to credit than a completed foreclosure, and homeowners are often able to qualify for a new mortgage sooner afterward. Your individual results depend on your overall credit profile, so confirm the specifics with a HUD-approved counselor or credit professional.
How much does HUD housing counseling cost?
HUD-approved counseling is offered at little or no cost. Many foreclosure-prevention services are free. Always ask the agency directly about any fees before you begin.
How long do I have once I miss a mortgage payment in Colorado?
Timelines vary by lender and situation, but the earlier you act the more options you keep. The pre-foreclosure window can move quickly, so reaching out to a counselor or a knowledgeable agent right away is the smartest move.
Can I do a short sale if I still have equity in my home?
If you have equity, a traditional sale on the open market may actually net you more money than a short sale. That is exactly the kind of question a quick, no-obligation conversation can answer.
What if I owe more than my home is worth?
That is the classic short sale scenario. With lender approval, you can sell the home and have the remaining balance settled. We handle the listing, marketing, negotiation, and the lender packet on your behalf.
You Have More Options Than You Think
Missing a mortgage payment does not make you a failure — it makes you human, and life happens. What matters now is taking the next right step. Call a HUD-approved counselor from the list above for free, independent guidance. And when you are ready to talk about selling, a short sale, or simply understanding what your home is worth today, The Kenna Real Estate Group team is here to help — confidentially and without pressure.
Reach out today for a private, no-obligation conversation about your options.