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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001009874-03-000009.txt : 20031010
<SEC-HEADER>0001009874-03-000009.hdr.sgml : 20031010
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031010180640
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001009874-03-000009
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031010
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031010

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MDC HOLDINGS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000773141
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	OPERATIVE BUILDERS [1531]
		IRS NUMBER:				840622967
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3600 S YOSEMITE ST STE 900
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80237
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3037731100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3600 S YOSEMITE ST
		STREET 2:		SUITE 900
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80237

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MANDARICH DAVID D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001009874

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08951
		FILM NUMBER:		03937771

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3600 S YOSEMITE STREET SUITE 900
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80237
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3037731100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3600 S YOSEMITE STREET SUITE 900
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80237
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>ddm101003_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   07/25/03  TT    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2003-10-10</periodOfReport>
   <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000773141</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MDC HOLDINGS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MDC</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001009874</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MANDARICH DAVID D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3600 S YOSEMITE STREET SUITE 900</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DENVER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80237</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>1</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>0</isOther>
         <officerTitle>President and COO</officerTitle>
      </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
 <nonDerivativeTable>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock $.01 Par Value</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2003-10-10</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>25000</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>13.57</value>
         </transactionPricePerShare>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>2064951</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock $.01 Par Value</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2003-10-10</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>25000</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>62.89</value>
         </transactionPricePerShare>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>D</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>2039951</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
 </nonDerivativeTable>
 <derivativeTable>
   <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Non-Statutory Stock Option</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>13.57</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2003-10-10</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>25000</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>.00</value>
         </transactionPricePerShare>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>D</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
         <value>1999-11-20</value>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
         <value>2003-11-20</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>Common Stock $.01 Par Value</value>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>50000</value>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>25000</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeTransaction>
 </derivativeTable>
   <footnotes>
      <footnote id="F1"> Reporting person also indirectly owns 1,320 shares (minor children account); and indirectly owns 1,665 shares (401K Savings Plan account, which changes on a monthly basis).</footnote>

      <footnote id="F2"> Granted on November 20, 1998 under the Company's Employee Equity Incentive Plan. This option vests as to 25% of the shares covered thereby on November 20, 1999 and cumulatively as to an additional 25% on each of November 20, 2000, 2001 and 2002.</footnote>
   </footnotes>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>Joseph H. Fretz, Attorney-at-Law</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2003-10-10</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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