Exhibit 23.1


                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated
January 18, 1999 appearing on page F-2 of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.'s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998. We also consent to the
reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Prospectus.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Denver, Colorado

June 15, 1999