Exhibit 23.1

                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


         We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. of our report dated June 21,
2000 appearing on page 1 of the  Financial Statements of the M.D.C. Holdings,
Inc. 401(k)  Savings Plan for the year ended  December 31, 1999 included in
this Form 11-K.


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
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PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Denver, Colorado
June 29, 2000