Exhibit 25.3


                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                       FORM T-1

                               STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                        UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
                    OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                   CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
                   OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)___

                                  --------------------

                          THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
                 (EXACT NAME OF TRUSTEE AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

    A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION                    36-0899825
                                                   (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
                                                IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS                 60670-0126
 (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                   (ZIP CODE)

                          THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
                         ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, SUITE 0286
                            CHICAGO, ILLINOIS   60670-0286
               ATTN:  LYNN A. GOLDSTEIN, LAW DEPARTMENT (312) 732-6919
              (NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                                  --------------------

                               M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
           (EXACT NAME OF OBLIGORS AS SPECIFIED IN THEIR TRUST AGREEMENTS)


             DELAWARE                                  84-0622967
   (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                  (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
   INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                 IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

3600 SOUTH YOSEMITE STREET
SUITE 900
DENVER, COLORADO                                    80237
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)          (ZIP CODE)

                                  DEBT SECURITIES 
        GUARANTEE OF TRUST CAPITAL SECURITIES OF MDC CAPITAL FUNDING TRUST I
       GUARANTEE OF TRUST CAPITAL SECURITIES OF MDC CAPITAL FUNDING TRUST II

                           (TITLE OF INDENTURE SECURITIES)



ITEM 1.   GENERAL INFORMATION. FURNISH THE FOLLOWING
          INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

          (a)  NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR
          SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH IT IS SUBJECT.

          Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.;
          Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 
          Washington, D.C.; The Board of Governors of
          the Federal Reserve System, Washington D.C..

          (b)  WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE
          CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

          The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate
          trust powers.

ITEM 2.   AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR. IF THE OBLIGOR
          IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH
          SUCH AFFILIATION.

          No such affiliation exists with the trustee.

ITEM 16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS. LIST BELOW ALL EXHIBITS FILED AS A 
          PART OF THIS STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY.

          1.   A copy of the articles of association of the  
               trustee now in effect.*

          2.   A copy of the certificates of authority of the
               trustee to commence business.*

          3.   A copy of the authorization of the trustee to
               exercise corporate trust powers.*

          4.   A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee.*

          5.   Not Applicable.

          6.   The consent of the trustee required by
               Section 321(b) of the Act.



          7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the
               trustee published pursuant to law or the  
               requirements of its supervising or examining
               authority.

          8.   Not Applicable.

          9.   Not Applicable.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
     amended, the trustee, The First National Bank of Chicago, a national
     banking association organized and existing under the laws of the
     United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of
     Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
     duly authorized, all in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois, on
     the 7th day of January, 1999.


               THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
               TRUSTEE

               BY 
                  -----------------------------
                    STEVEN M. WAGNER
                    FIRST VICE PRESIDENT



* EXHIBIT 1, 2,  3 AND 4 ARE HEREIN INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO EXHIBITS
BEARING IDENTICAL NUMBERS IN ITEM 16 OF THE FORM T-1 OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
OF CHICAGO, FILED AS EXHIBIT 25 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3 OF U S
WEST CAPITAL FUNDING, INC., FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON
MAY 6, 1998 (REGISTRATION NO. 333-51907-01).



                                      EXHIBIT 6


                         THE CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE REQUIRED
                             BY SECTION 321(b) OF THE ACT


                                                            January 7, 1999


Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C.  20549


Gentlemen:

In connection with the qualification of (i) the Indenture of M.D.C. Holdings, 
Inc., to The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee, relating to the Debt 
Securities of MDC Holdings, Inc., (ii) the Trust Capital Securities Guarantee 
Agreement of the Trust Capital Securities of MDC Capital Funding Trust I, 
and, (iii) the Trust Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement of the Trust 
Capital Securities of MDC Capital Funding Trust II, the undersigned, in 
accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as 
amended, hereby consents that the reports of examinations of the undersigned, 
made by Federal or State authorities authorized to make such examinations, 
may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange 
Commission upon its request therefor.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO


                                     BY:
                                        ---------------------------
                                          STEVEN M. WAGNER
                                          FIRST VICE PRESIDENT



                                   EXHIBIT 7


Legal Title of Bank:     The First National Bank of Chicago  Call Date: 09/30/98
                         ST-BK:  17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:                 One First National Plaza, Ste 0460            Page RC-1
City, State  Zip:        Chicago, IL  60670
FDIC Certificate No.:    0/3/6/1/8

CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION FOR INSURED COMMERCIAL
AND STATE-CHARTERED SAVINGS BANKS FOR SEPTEMBER 30, 1998

All schedules are to be reported in thousands of dollars.  Unless otherwise 
indicated, report the amount outstanding of the last business day of the 
quarter.

SCHEDULE RC--BALANCE SHEET




                                                                                   DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS    C400
                                                                                   RCFD     BIL MIL THOU          ----
                                                                                   ----     ------------
                                                                                                         
ASSETS
1.   Cash and balances due from depository institutions (from Schedule RC-A):      RCFD
     a. Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin(1). . . . . . . . .     0081      4,898,646             1.a
     b. Interest-bearing balances(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     0071      4,612,143             1.b
2.   Securities
     a. Held-to-maturity securities(from Schedule RC-B, column A). . . . . . .     1754              0             2.a
     b. Available-for-sale securities (from Schedule RC-B, column D) . . . . .     1773      9,817,318             2.b
3.   Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell. .     1350      6,071,229             3.
4.   Loans and lease financing receivables:                                        RCFD
     a. Loans and leases, net of unearned income (from Schedule RC-C). . . . .     2122     26,327,215             4.a
     b. LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     3123        412,850             4.b
     c. LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     3128              0             4.c
     d. Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and                   RCFD
        reserve (item 4.a minus 4.b and 4.c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2125     25,914,365             4.d
5.   Trading assets (from Schedule RD-D) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     3545      6,924,064             5.
6.   Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases). . . . . . . . .     2145        731,747             6.
7.   Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2150          6,424             7.
8.   Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated
     companies (from Schedule RC-M). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2130        153,385             8.
9.   Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding. . . . . . .     2155        352,324             9.
10.  Intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2143        295,823            10.
11.  Other assets (from Schedule RC-F) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2160      2,193,803            11.
12.  Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2170     61,971,271            12.



- -------------------
(1)  Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits.
(2)  Includes time certificates of deposit not held for trading.



Legal Title of Bank:     The First National Bank of Chicago  Call Date: 09/30/98
                         ST-BK:  17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:                 One First National Plaza, Ste 0460            Page RC-2
City, State  Zip:        Chicago, IL  60670
FDIC Certificate No.:    0/3/6/1/8

SCHEDULE RC-CONTINUED




                                                                                   DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN
                                                                                       THOUSANDS    
                                                                                   -----------------
                                                                                                       
LIABILITIES
13.  Deposits:
     a. In domestic offices (sum of totals of columns A and C                      RCON
        from Schedule RC-E, part 1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2200       20,965,124        13.a
        (1) Noninterest-bearing(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     6631        9,191,662        13.a1
        (2) Interest-bearing. . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     6636       11,773,462        13.a2

     b. In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and                   RCFN
        IBFs (from Schedule RC-E, part II) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2200       15,912,956        13.b
        (1) Noninterest bearing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     6631          475,182        13.b1
        (2) Interest-bearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     6636       15,437,774        13.b2
14.  Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements
     to repurchase:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     RCFD 2800   4,245,925        14
15.  a. Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     RCON 2840     359,381        15.a
     Trading Liabilities(from Sechedule RC-D). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     RCFD 3548   5,614,049        15.b

16.  Other borrowed money:                                                      RCFD
     a. With original maturity of one year or less . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2332        4,603,402        16.a
     b. With original  maturity of more than one year. . . . . . . . . . . . .     A547          328,001        16.b
     c.  With original maturity of more than three years . . . . . . . . . . .     A548          324,984        16.c

17.  Not applicable
18.  Bank's liability on acceptance executed and outstanding . . . . . . . . .     2920          352,324        18.
19.  Subordinated notes and debentures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     3200        2,400,000        19.
20.  Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2930        1,833,935        20.
21.  Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20). . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2948       56,940,081        21.
22.  Not applicable
EQUITY CAPITAL
23.  Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     3838                0        23.
24.  Common stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     3230          200,858        24.
25.  Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock). . . . . . . . .     3839        3,192,857        25.
26.  a. Undivided profits and capital reserves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     3632        1,614,511        26.a
     b. Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale
        securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     8434           27,815        26.b
27.  Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments . . . . . . . . . . .     3284           (4,851)       27.
28.  Total equity capital (sum of items 23 through 27) . . . . . . . . . . . .     3210        5,031,190        28.
29.  Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity
     capital (sum of items 21, 22, and 28) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     3300       61,971,271        29.

Memorandum
To be reported only with the March Report of Condition.

1.  Indicate in the box at the right the number of the statement below that
    best describes the  most comprehensive level of auditing work performed                                    Number
    for the bank by independent external auditors as of any date during 1996 . .   RCFD 6724     N/A            M.1. 



1 =   Independent audit of the bank conducted in accordance with generally
      accepted auditing standards by a certified public accounting firm which
      submits a report on the bank

2 =   Independent audit of the bank's parent holding company conducted in
      accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified
      public accounting firm which submits a report on the consolidated holding
      company (but not on the bank separately)

3 =   Directors' examination of the bank conducted in accordance with generally
      accepted auditing standards by a certified public accounting firm (may be
      required by state chartering authority)

4. =  Directors' examination of the bank performed by other external auditors
      (may be required by state chartering authority)

5 =   Review of the bank's financial statements by external auditors

6 =   Compilation of the bank's financial statements by external auditors

7 =   Other audit procedures (excluding tax preparation work)

8 =   No external audit work

- -------------------
(1) Includes total demand deposits and noninterest-bearing time and savings 
    deposits.