Colorado VA Loans Now Require a WDI Inspection — Here's What Buyers and Agents Need to Know

If you're buying a home with a VA loan in Colorado — or helping a veteran client do so — there's a new requirement that went into effect in 2025 that could delay your closing if you're not prepared. Chaney Pest Elimination performs official WDI inspections using the NPMA-33 form, serving Teller, Park, El Paso, and Chaffee Counties.

What changed — and when

Colorado used to be largely exempt from VA wood-destroying insect (WDI) inspection requirements, thanks to the state's dry climate. That changed in mid-2025. The Department of Veterans Affairs updated its local requirements, and Colorado is now a mandatory termite inspection state for VA loans — statewide. The requirement applies to VA purchase loans and cash-out refinances wherever a property appraisal is involved. It does not apply to IRRRLs (streamline refinances) unless the appraiser notes evidence of infestation.

The change rolled out quietly, which is exactly why it has caught buyers, sellers, real estate agents, and lenders off guard. Delayed WDI inspections have held up Notices of Value (NOV) across the state. No NOV, no loan — it's that straightforward.

Bottom line for VA buyers: If your Notice of Value (NOV) was issued on or after June 25, 2025, or your closing is on or after July 21, 2025, a WDI inspection is required — even if there are zero visible signs of pest activity.

What is a WDI inspection?

A wood-destroying insect inspection — sometimes called a termite inspection — is a professional evaluation of a property for evidence of insects that destroy structural wood. That includes termites, carpenter ants, powder post beetles, and wood-boring beetles. The inspector examines the interior, exterior, foundation, crawl space, and accessible attic areas for signs of active infestation, past damage, or conditions that make infestation likely.

Colorado isn't a high-termite state like the Deep South, but subterranean termites do exist here — they live underground and enter homes through foundations and small cracks in concrete, often going undetected for years. At higher elevations throughout Teller, Park, and Chaffee Counties, wood-boring beetles are also a concern in older construction.

The NPMA-33 form — why it matters

The VA requires that all WDI inspections be documented on the NPMA-33, the nationally standardized Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Report. Not every pest control company uses this form by default. If your inspection is completed on any other form, the VA will not accept it, and your closing timeline is back to square one.

What the NPMA-33 documents

• Presence or absence of live or dead wood-destroying insects

• Evidence of past or active infestation

• Visible structural damage attributable to WDI

• Conditions conducive to infestation

• Inspector credentials and company information

The report is typically valid for 90 days from the inspection date. If your closing slips past that window, a re-inspection may be required — one more reason to schedule early rather than waiting on the appraisal.

Who pays for a WDI Inspection?

As of 2022, VA policy allows the veteran buyer to pay for the WDI inspection directly — previously they couldn't. That said, it remains a negotiable item, and sellers frequently cover it as part of the transaction. Cost typically runs between $200 and $300 depending on property size and location.

What happens if something is found?

If the inspection turns up active infestation or structural damage, the home must be professionally treated and re-inspected before the VA will issue a Notice of Value. The seller is generally expected to handle remediation costs, though terms are negotiable. The key is not to panic — it's a solvable problem, and having a qualified pest control company already on-site means treatment can begin quickly.

Why schedule the WDI inspection early

The single biggest mistake we see is treating the WDI inspection as an afterthought — something to order once the appraisal is already underway. Schedule it at the same time as your home inspection. That way, if there's an issue, you have time to treat, re-inspect, and still hit your closing date without scrambling.

Chaney Pest Elimination serves Teller, Park, El Paso, and Chaffee Counties, including Woodland Park, Divide, Florissant, Cripple Creek, Victor, Lake George, Fairplay, Hartsel, and Cañon City. We perform WDI inspections using the required NPMA-33 form and understand exactly what VA appraisers need to see to keep your transaction on track.

Buying or selling a home with a VA loan in central Colorado?

Don't let a WDI inspection become a last-minute fire drill.

Call us: (719) 650-0246

Chaney Pest Elimination  ·  NPMA-33 WDI Inspections  ·  Teller, Park, El Paso & Chaffee Counties