SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                       -----------------------------------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT


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


        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 23, 1999


                                M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



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

 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 5.  OTHER EVENTS

         On July 26, 1999 the  Registrant  issued the press release  attached as
Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.





                                   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.



                                                   By:/s/ Daniel S. Japha
                                                      -----------------------
                                                      Vice President of Law -
                                                      Corporate and Secretary

Dated:  July 27, 1999