Summary of MDC HOLDINGS INC

ITEM 5.02 DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS

5.02(e) Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
On December 30, 2008, the Compensation Committee (the "Committee") of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") took the actions described below with respect to compensation of the Company's executive officers. These executive officers are expected to be listed as "named executive officers" (as defined in Item 402(a)(3) of Regulation S-K) in the Company's Proxy Statement for the Company's 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareowners.

WITH REGARD TO LARRY A MIZEL, CHAIRMAN AND CEO 1. Determined, pursuant to Article III of the M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. Amended Executive Officer Performance-Based Compensation Plan approved by the Company's shareowners at the 2008 annual meeting (the "Performance-Based Compensation Plan"), for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008, that the Goal contained in Article III A.(i) will not be achieved and the Performance Goal contained in Article III A.(ii) will be achieved. Accordingly, pursuant to Paragraph C of Article III of the Performance-Based Compensation Plan, Larry A. Mizel, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, shall receive the following for fiscal year 2008, payable as of the date the Committee or its designated member certifies that the Performance Goal has been achieved (the "Certification Date"):

a. cash in the amount of $2,500,000 and

b. 60,000 shares of restricted stock of the Company under the Company's 2001 Equity Incentive Plan, approved by the Company's shareowners in 2001 ("2001 Equity Incentive Plan"), and evidenced by the form of 2001 Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.11 with the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. The date of the award will be the Certification Date and the restrictions on the awarded shares will lapse as to 33-1/3% of such shares per year over three years, commencing on the third anniversary of the Certification Date.

2. Granted to Mr. Mizel stock options covering 180,000 shares (one option for 90,000 shares and a second option for 90,000 shares) of common stock of the Company under the Company's 2001 Equity Incentive Plan, evidenced by the form of 2001 Equity Incentive Plan Non-Qualified Stock Option Certificate filed as Exhibit 10.10 with the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. The options become exercisable as to 33-1/3% of the shares on each of the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the date of grant (December 30, 2008). The exercise price for the 90,000 shares covered by the first option is equal to the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The exercise price for the 90,000 shares covered by the second option is equal to 110% of the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The closing price on December 30, 2008 was $29.45.

3. Determined that Mr. Mizel's base salary shall remain at $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.

WITH REGARD TO DAVID D. MANDARICH, PRESIDENT AND COO 1. Determined, pursuant to Article III of the Performance-Based Compensation Plan, for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008, that the Goal contained in Article III A.(i) will not be achieved and the Performance Goal contained in Article III A.(ii) will be achieved. Accordingly, pursuant to Paragraph C of Article III of the Performance-Based Compensation Plan, David D. Mandarich, President and Chief Operating Officer, shall receive the following for fiscal year 2008, payable as of the Certification Date:

a. cash in the amount of $2,500,000 and

b. 60,000 shares of restricted stock of the Company under the Company's 2001 Equity Incentive Plan, evidenced by the form of 2001 Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.11 with the Company's

Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. The date of the award will be the Certification Date and the restrictions on the awarded shares will lapse as to 33-1/3% of such shares per year over three years, commencing on the third anniversary of the Certification Date.

2. Granted to Mr. Mandarich stock options covering 180,000 shares (one option for 90,000 shares and a second option for 90,000 shares) of common stock of the Company under the Company's 2001 Equity Incentive Plan, evidenced by the form of 2001 Equity Incentive Plan Non-Qualified Stock Option Certificate filed as Exhibit 10.10 with the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. The options become exercisable as to 33-1/3% of the shares on each of the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the date of grant (December 30, 2008). The exercise price for the 90,000 shares covered by the first option is equal to the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The exercise price for the 90,000 shares covered by the second option is equal to 110% of the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The closing price on December 30, 2008 was $29.45.

3. Determined that Mr. Mandarich's base salary shall remain at $830,000 for fiscal year 2009.

WITH REGARD TO CHRISTOPHER M. ANDERSON, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CFO 1. Awarded a discretionary cash bonus for fiscal year 2008 to Christopher M.
Anderson, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer, in the amount of $200,000.

2. Awarded Mr. Anderson $150,000 in shares of restricted stock of the Company under the Company's 2001 Equity Incentive Plan, evidenced by the form of 2001 Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.11 with the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. This award was valued at $29.45 per share, the closing price of the Company's common stock on December 30, 2008, the date of the award. The restrictions on the awarded shares will lapse as to 25% of such shares per year over four years, commencing on the first anniversary of the date of the award.

3. Granted Mr. Anderson a stock option covering 70,000 shares of common stock of the Company under the Company's 2001 Equity Incentive Plan, evidenced by the form of 2001 Equity Incentive Plan Non-Qualified Stock Option Certificate filed as Exhibit 10.10 with the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. The option becomes exercisable as to 33-1/3% of the shares on each of the third, fourth and fifth anniversary dates of the grant. The exercise price for the option is equal to the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant (December 30, 2008). The closing price on that date was $29.45.

4. Determined that Mr. Anderson's base salary shall remain at $450,000 for fiscal year 2009.

WITH REGARD TO MICHAEL TOUFF, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL
1. Authorized a discretionary cash bonus for fiscal year 2008 to Michael Touff, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, in the amount of $281,250.

2. Awarded Mr. Touff $30,000 in shares of restricted stock of the Company under the Company's 2001 Equity Incentive Plan, evidenced by the form of 2001 Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.11 with the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. This award was valued at $29.45 per share, the closing price of the Company's common stock on December 30, 2008, the date of the award. The restrictions on the awarded shares will lapse as to 25% of such shares per year over four years, commencing on the first anniversary of the date of the award.

3. Granted Mr. Touff a stock option covering 30,000 shares of common stock of the Company under the Company's 2001 Equity Incentive Plan, evidenced by the form of 2001 Equity Incentive Plan Non-Qualified Stock Option Certificate filed as Exhibit 10.10 with the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. This option becomes exercisable as to 33-1/3% of the shares on each of the third, fourth and fifth anniversary dates of the grant. The exercise price of the option is equal to the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant (December 30, 2008). The closing price on that date was $29.45.

4. Determined that Mr. Touff's base salary shall remain at $353,000 for fiscal year 2009.

WITH REGARD TO ALL THE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Determined that the perquisites, general benefits and other similar compensation heretofore granted to the executive officers should be continued in 2009 in the same manner and amounts consistent with the Company's practice in 2008.