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 28, 1999
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, 1998 which appears in
this Form 11-K.



/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
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PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Denver, Colorado
June 30, 1999