UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                     FORM 15

      CERTIFICATION AND NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION
                 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR
            SUSPENSION OF DUTY TO FILE REPORTS UNDER SECTIONS 13 AND
                  15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

                         Commission File Number 0-23409
                                                -------

                           HIGH COUNTRY BANCORP, INC.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         7360 WEST US HIGHWAY 50, SALIDA, COLORADO 81201 (719) 539-2516
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area
               code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

                     COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Title of each class of securities covered by this Form)

                                      NONE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       (Title of all other classes of securities for which a duty to file
                 reports under section 13(a) or 15(d) remains)

Please place an X in the box(es) to designate the appropriate rule  provision(s)
relied upon to terminate or suspend the duty to file reports:

         Rule 12g-4(a)(1)(i)     /X/                 Rule 12h-3(b)(1)(i)     / /
         Rule 12g-4(a)(1)(ii)    / /                 Rule 12h-3(b)(1)(ii)    / /
         Rule 12g-4(a)(2)(i)     / /                 Rule 12h-3(b)(2)(i)     / /
         Rule 12g-4(a)(2)(ii)    / /                 Rule 12h-3(b)(2)(ii)    / /
                                                     Rule 15d-6              / /

Approximate  number of holders of record as of the certification or notice date:
     297
- ---------------

     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (High
Country  Bancorp,  Inc.) has caused  this  certification/notice  to be signed on
behalf by the undersigned duly authorized person.

Date: February 12, 2004          By:/s/ Larry D. Smith
                                    ------------------------------------------
                                    Larry D. Smith
                                    President and Chief Executive Officer

Instruction:  This  form is  required  by Rules  12g-4,  12h-3  and 15d-6 of the
General Rules and  Regulations  under the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934. The
registrant  shall file with the Commission three copies of Form 15, one of which
shall be manually signed.  It may be signed by an officer of the registrant,  by
counsel or by any other duly authorized person. The name and title of the person
signing the form shall be typed or printed under the signature.