8-K

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

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):      December 8, 2003

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other
jurisdiction of
incorporation) 1-8951
(Commission file number)
84-0622967
(I.R.S. employer
identification no.)

3600 South Yosemite Street, Suite 900, Denver, Colorado 80237

(Address of principal executive offices)         (Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:         (303) 773-1100

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

ITEM     7.     EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number
____________________

Exhibit 99.1 Description
_____________________________________________

Press Release dated December 8, 2003.

ITEM     9.     REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

        On December 8, 2003, M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. issued a press release reporting a 39% increase in home orders for October and November. A copy of this press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

        Limitation on Incorporation by Reference. The information being furnished shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                             M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Dated: December 8, 2003 By:       /s/ Joseph H. Fretz
________________________________
Joseph H. Fretz
Secretary and Corporate Counsel

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number
____________________

Exhibit 99.1 Description
_____________________________________________

Press Release dated December 8, 2003.

EX-99.1

                                                                                                     

NEWS BULLETIN

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC. RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES
HOMEAMERICAN MORTGAGE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2003

Contacts: Paris G. Reece III
Chief Financial Officer
(303) 804-7706
greece@mdch.com Rachel L. Neumann
Communications Director
(303) 804-7729
rlneumann@mdch.com

M.D.C. HOLDINGS REPORTS 39% INCREASE IN
HOME ORDERS FOR OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER

        DENVER, Monday, December 8, 2003 — M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (NYSE/PCX: MDC) today announced that it received 1,958 home orders in October and November 2003, the best fourth quarter start in MDC’s history and an increase of 39% over the 1,409 home orders received for the same period in 2002. Home orders in November 2003 particularly were strong, up 54% over November 2002. Northern California and Nevada showed exceptionally strong home order increases in October and November 2003 (both up 99%), aided by year-over-year increases in the number of active subdivisions and the continued strong demand for new homes. Southern California home orders also were strong in October and November 2003 (up 42%), despite a year-over-year decline in the number of active subdivisions. The Company also received 179 home orders in October and November 2003 from its newest markets in Texas, Utah and Jacksonville. Although MDC’s current practice is to report home orders on a quarterly basis, this information is being provided to comply with Regulation FD in anticipation of communications with the investment community this week. Detailed information on home orders will be provided when MDC releases its 2003 fourth quarter home closings and quarter-end backlog during the first week of January.

        MDC, whose subsidiaries build homes under the name “Richmond American Homes,” is one of the largest homebuilders in the United States. The Company also provides mortgage financing, primarily for MDC’s homebuyers, through its wholly owned subsidiary HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation. MDC is a major regional homebuilder with a significant presence in some of the country’s best housing markets. The Company is the largest homebuilder in Colorado; among the top five homebuilders in Northern Virginia, suburban Maryland, Phoenix, Tucson and Las Vegas; and among the top ten homebuilders in Northern California, Southern California and Salt Lake City. MDC also has a growing presence in Dallas/Fort Worth and has recently entered the Houston, San Antonio, Philadelphia/Delaware Valley, West Florida, Jacksonville and Chicago markets. For more information, visit www.richmondamerican.com.

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