-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 ibmjFfiOqxT3r3W6u/T0Xw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001009874-09-000005.txt : 20091231
<SEC-HEADER>0001009874-09-000005.hdr.sgml : 20091231
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091231170313
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001009874-09-000005
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20091231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091231
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091231

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:		091268892

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4350 S. MONACO STREET, SUITE 500
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80237

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:		4350 S MONACO STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 500
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80237
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3037731100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4350 S MONACO STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 500
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80237
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <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>4350 S. MONACO STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 500</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, COO and Director</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Statutory Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>31.04</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-12-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>90000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2012-12-31</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2019-12-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock $.01 Par Value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>90000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>90000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Statutory Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>34.14</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-12-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>90000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2012-12-31</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2019-12-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock $.01 Par Value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>90000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>90000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Granted on December 31, 2009 under the Company's 2001 Equity Incentive Plan.  This option vests as to 33-1/3% of the shares covered thereby on December 31, 2012 and cumulatively as to an additional 33-1/3% on each of December 31, 2013 and 2014.  This option was granted at the December 31, 2009 market close price.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Granted on December 31, 2009 under the Company's 2001 Equity Incentive Plan.  This option vests as to 33-1/3% of the shares covered thereby on December 31, 2012, and cumulatively as to an additional 33-1/3% on each of December 31, 2013 and 2014.  This option was granted at 110% of the December 31, 2009 market close price.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Joseph H. Fretz</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-12-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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