Fremont County · On the Arkansas River
Florence
Oil, rail and a Main Street that lasted
A small town
with deep roots.
Nine miles down the river from Cañon City, Florence is a small town with a walkable historic downtown, antique shops that draw weekend visitors, and homes that still feel within reach.
Florence grew up on oil and railroads. The first commercial oil field west of the Mississippi was found nearby in 1862, and three railroads once ran through town. Today the downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places, and much of the housing dates from the town’s early decades, with newer homes and acreage on the edges.
Buyers here are often first-time buyers, people moving down from Cañon City or over from Pueblo, and families connected to the federal prison complex outside town, one of the area’s larger employers. Steady work with a documented pay history is a strong starting point for any loan, and we handle federal and shift-work pay regularly.
Small-town prices mean down payment help and low-down-payment programs go further here. Florence and the countryside around it are also the kind of places USDA’s rural program often covers, and manufactured homes on land and older houses that need work each have a financing path worth talking through.
Let’s talk about FlorenceGood questions. Plain answers.
Questions we hear about Florence
Is Florence in a USDA-eligible area?
In most cases, yes. Florence and the rural parts of Fremont County around it generally fall within USDA’s eligible map, though eligibility is confirmed by the exact address and by the household income limit for the county. USDA loans are offered through our lending partners, and we run the check for you.
Can I buy an older home downtown with a low down payment?
Usually. FHA and conventional low-down-payment programs do not exclude older homes, but the house has to be safe and sound. If an inspection turns up work, a renovation loan can combine the purchase and the repairs.
I work at the federal prison. What will you need from me?
Federal pay documents well: recent pay or earnings statements, W-2s, and sometimes tax returns are what underwriters look for. Overtime and shift differentials can often be counted when there is a history of receiving them.
Can you finance a manufactured home on land?
Often, yes, when the home is on a permanent foundation and titled as real property. Its age, whether it has been moved before, and whether it is single-section or multi-section all affect which programs fit. Tell us the details and we will match a program.
Does down payment help work in a small town like Florence?
Yes. Colorado’s statewide programs, offered through our lending partners, are not limited to big cities. Income limits and a homebuyer education class usually apply. Our down payment assistance guide explains how they work.
How far is Florence from Cañon City and Pueblo?
Cañon City is about nine miles northwest on Highway 115, and Pueblo is about thirty-three miles east by way of Highway 115 and US 50. Penrose is a few minutes up the road.
Where to go next
Loan options that come up in Florence
Guide: A little help with the down payment.
General information, not a loan offer or a commitment to lend. Programs, eligibility and requirements vary and can change. Down payment help and USDA loans are offered through our lending partners.
Colorado, called home.
Your next chapter
starts with a hello.
A home. A plan. A conversation that puts you first.
Let’s talk