Just checked Trulia and no you cannot buy a single family house in downtown (or close to it) for $300K - but you can buy a four bedroom three bath house in Montbello for $250K, or a four bedroom two bath on Wyndot - I don't think the Denver metro area is that expensive yet all things considered.  There are very few desirable cities where a first time buyer can expect to buy a home in the core city.  You get what you pay for as with so much in life.  If you expect more than a nice house in the city (both of the above meet that qualification) but not in the core you need to reset your expectations.