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As filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on September 1, 2004
Registration No. 333-117319


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


Amendment No. 2

to
Form S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


                 
Jurisdiction of
Names of Incorporation I.R.S. Employer
Co-Registrants or Organization Identification No.



M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC. 
    Delaware       84-0622967  
RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF CALIFORNIA, INC. 
    Colorado       77-0084376  
RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF MARYLAND, INC. 
    Maryland       52-0814857  
RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF NEVADA, INC. 
    Colorado       88-0227698  
RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF VIRGINIA, INC. 
    Virginia       54-0570445  
RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF ARIZONA, INC. 
    Delaware       86-0277026  
RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF COLORADO, INC. 
    Delaware       84-1256155  
M.D.C. LAND CORPORATION
    Colorado       84-0831548  
RAH OF TEXAS, LP
    Colorado       81-0545696  
RAH TEXAS HOLDINGS, LLC
    Colorado       35-2175328  
RICHMOND AMERICAN CONSTRUCTION, INC. 
    Delaware       86-0540418  
RAH OF FLORIDA, INC. (formerly known as Richmond American Homes of California (Inland Empire), Inc.)
    Colorado       84-1590389  
RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF TEXAS, INC. 
    Colorado       75-2115660  
RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF UTAH, INC. 
    Colorado       02-0574838  
RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF WEST VIRGINIA, INC. 
    Colorado       54-2019401  
RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF ILLINOIS, INC. 
    Colorado       02-0701597  
RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF DELAWARE, INC. 
    Colorado       02-0701599  
RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC. 
    Colorado       02-0701595  
RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF FLORIDA, LP
    Colorado       02-0701603  
RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF NEW JERSEY, INC. (formerly known as Richmond American Homes One, Inc.)
    Colorado       02-0701583  
RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES TWO, INC. 
    Colorado       02-0701585  
RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES THREE, INC. 
    Colorado       02-0701586  
RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES FOUR, INC. 
    Colorado       02-0701587  
RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES FIVE, INC. 
    Colorado       02-0701590  
RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES SIX, INC. 
    Colorado       02-0701591  
RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES SEVEN, INC. 
    Colorado       02-0701593  


3600 S. Yosemite Street, Suite 900

Denver, Colorado 80237
(303) 773-1100
(Address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code,
of registrant’s principal executive office)

Joseph H. Fretz, Esq.

Secretary and Corporate Counsel
3600 S. Yosemite Street, Suite 900
Denver, Colorado 80237
(303) 773-1100
(Name, address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code,
of agent for service)


With a copy to:

Garth B. Jensen, Esq.

Holme Roberts & Owen LLP
1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 4100
Denver, Colorado 80203
(303) 861-7000


    Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement, as determined by market conditions.


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         If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.     o

         If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, please check the following box.     þ

         If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.     o

         If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.     o

         If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box.     o


     Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement contains a combined prospectus that also relates to $550,000,000 of other securities registered on Form S-3, registration no. 333-107859, which have not been offered or sold as of the date of the filing of this registration statement and for which MDC previously paid registration fees of $65,670. This registration statement constitutes a post-effective amendment to the prior related registration statement, pursuant to which the total amount of unsold previously registered securities may be offered and sold as any of the securities registered hereunder, and such post-effective amendment shall hereafter become effective concurrently with the effectiveness of this registration statement and in accordance with Section 8(c) of the Securities Act of 1933. If the previously registered securities are offered and sold prior to the effective date of this registration statement, the amount of previously registered securities so sold will not be included in the prospectus hereunder.


     The co-registrants hereby amend this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the co-registrants shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.




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PURPOSE OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

      This registration statement registers $450,000,000 of securities to be offered by M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. and the co-registrants. Some of the co-registrants are newly-formed entities that currently do not have operations or significant assets. Of the $1,000,000,000 of securities under the combined prospectus to which this registration statement relates, $550,000,000 of the securities have already been registered on Form S-3, registration no. 333-107859.


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted.

PROSPECTUS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, SEPTEMBER 1, 2004

(M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC. LOGO)

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

3600 S. Yosemite Street

Suite 900
Denver, Colorado 80237
(303) 773-1100

$1,000,000,000


          The following are types of securities that we may offer and sell under this prospectus:

             
  common stock     debt securities
  preferred stock        

          We may offer these securities separately or as units which may include other securities. We will describe in a prospectus supplement, which must accompany this prospectus, the securities we are offering and selling, as well as the specific terms of the securities. Those terms may include:

             
  Maturity     Redemption terms
  Interest rate     Listing on a securities exchange
  Sinking fund terms     Amount payable at maturity
  Currency of payments     Guarantees by some of our subsidiaries


          The Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities regulators have not approved or disapproved these securities, or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.


          Our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, trades on the New York Stock Exchange and the Pacific Stock Exchange under the symbol “MDC.”

          We may offer the securities in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of offering. We may sell the securities directly to you, through agents we select, or through underwriters and dealers we select. If we use agents, underwriters or dealers to sell the securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement.

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2004


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  Identure
  Form of Opinion and Consent of Holme Roberts & Owen LLP
  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
  Statement of Eligibility of Trustee


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M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

      M.D.C. Holdings, Inc., or MDC, is a Delaware corporation which was formed in 1972. Our primary business is owning and managing subsidiary companies which build homes under the name “Richmond American Homes.” We also own and manage HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation which originates mortgage loans primarily for our homebuyers; American Home Insurance Agency, Inc., which sells casualty insurance products to our homebuyers; and American Home Title and Escrow, Inc. which provides title insurance and closing services for our customers. Unless specifically stated otherwise, references in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement to “we,” “us” or “our” include only MDC, and not our subsidiaries.

The Homebuilding Companies

      MDC, whose subsidiaries build homes under the name “Richmond American Homes,” is one of the largest homebuilders in the United States. We and our subsidiaries are a major regional homebuilder with a significant presence in some of the country’s best housing markets. Our homebuilding subsidiaries are the largest homebuilder in Colorado; among the top five homebuilders in Northern Virginia, suburban Maryland, Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas and Salt Lake City; and among the top ten homebuilders in Northern California and Southern California, each according to an independent, third-party survey provider. Our homebuilding subsidiaries also have a growing presence in Dallas/ Fort Worth, Houston and Jacksonville, and have recently entered the Philadelphia/ Delaware Valley, West Florida and Chicago markets.

Our Homebuilding Strategy

      We maintain a balanced product offering in each of our markets, focusing on high quality design and construction of homes in most price points, targeting the largest homebuyer segments within a given market, which generally is the first-time and first-time move-up buyer.

Home Selling Prices

      Most of the homes sold by our homebuilding subsidiaries range in price from approximately $100,000 to $600,000, although some homes they build sell for more than $1.3 million. The average selling price of homes closed by our homebuilding subsidiaries was $254,300 in 2003 and $254,000 in 2002.

HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation

      Our mortgage subsidiary provides mortgage loans to most of our homebuilding subsidiaries’ homebuyers. For the convenience of the homebuyers, our mortgage subsidiary has loan offices in most of the locations where our homebuilding subsidiaries build homes.

Location of Executive Offices

      The principal executive offices of MDC are at 3600 South Yosemite Street, Suite 900, Denver, Colorado 80237 (telephone (303) 773-1100).

      You can obtain additional information about us in the reports and other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

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RISK FACTORS

      Before purchasing any of the securities offered by this prospectus, you should consider all of the information set forth in this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement and the information incorporated herein by reference, and, in particular, you should evaluate the risk factors set forth below.

An adverse change in economic conditions could reduce the demand for homes and, as a result, could reduce our earnings.

      Changes in national and regional economic conditions, as well as local economic conditions where our subsidiaries conduct operations and where prospective purchasers of our homes live, can have a negative impact on our business. Adverse changes in employment levels, job growth, consumer confidence, housing demand, interest rates and population growth may reduce demand and depress prices for our homes. This, in turn, can reduce our earnings.

If land is not available at reasonable prices, our sales and earnings could decrease.

      Our operations depend on our homebuilding subsidiaries’ ability to continue to obtain land for the development of our residential communities at reasonable prices. Changes in the general availability of land, competition for available land, availability of financing to acquire land, zoning, regulations that limit housing density and other market conditions may hurt our ability to obtain land for new residential communities. If the supply of land appropriate for development of our residential communities becomes more limited because of these factors, or for any other reason, the cost of land could increase and/or the number of homes that our homebuilding subsidiaries build and sell could be reduced.

If the market value of our homes drops significantly, our profits could decrease.

      The market value of our land and housing inventories depends on market conditions. Our homebuilding subsidiaries acquire land for expansion into new markets and for replacement of land inventory and expansion within our current markets. If housing demand decreases below what we anticipated when we acquired our inventory, we may not be able to make profits similar to what we have made in the past, may experience less than anticipated profits and/or may not be able to recover our costs when our homebuilding subsidiaries build and sell homes. In the face of adverse market conditions, we may have substantial inventory carrying costs or our homebuilding subsidiaries may have to sell land or homes at a loss.

Interest rate increases or changes in federal lending programs could lower demand for our homes and our mortgage lending services.

      Our homebuilding and mortgage lending operations are impacted by the availability and cost of mortgage financing. Nearly all of our customers finance the purchase of their homes, and a significant number of these customers arrange their financing through our mortgage lending subsidiary, HomeAmerican. Increases in home mortgage interest rates may reduce the demand for homes and home mortgages and, generally, will reduce home mortgage refinancing activity. We are unable to predict the extent to which recent or future changes in home mortgage interest rates will affect our operating activities and results of operations.

      In addition, we believe that the availability of Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae)/ Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac)/ Federal Housing Administration and Veterans Administration mortgage financing is an important factor in our marketing strategy. Any changes, limitations or restrictions on the availability of these types of financing could reduce our subsidiaries’ home sales and mortgage lending volume.

Competition in the homebuilding industry could hurt our profits.

      The real estate industry is fragmented and highly competitive. Our homebuilding subsidiaries compete with numerous homebuilders, including a number that are substantially larger and have greater financial resources. Our homebuilding subsidiaries also compete with subdivision developers and land development

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companies, some of which are themselves homebuilders or affiliates of homebuilders. Homebuilders compete for customers, desirable financing, land, building materials and subcontractor labor. Competition for home orders primarily is based upon price, style, financing provided to prospective purchasers, location of property, quality of homes built, customer service and general reputation in the community. We, through our mortgage lending subsidiary HomeAmerican, also compete with numerous banks, thrifts and other mortgage bankers, many of which are larger and have greater resources than we do.

Our business is subject to numerous environmental and other governmental regulations. These regulations could give rise to significant additional liabilities or expenditures, or restrictions on our business.

      Our operations are subject to continuing compliance requirements mandated by applicable federal, state and local statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations, including zoning and land use ordinances, building, plumbing and electrical codes, contractors’ licensing laws, state insurance laws, federal and state human resources laws and regulations and health and safety regulations and laws (including, but not limited to, those of the Occupational Safety & Health Administration). Various localities in which we operate have imposed (or may impose in the future) fees on developers to fund schools, road improvements and low and moderate income housing.

      From time to time, various municipalities in which our homebuilding subsidiaries operate restrict or place moratoriums on the availability of utilities, including water and sewer taps. Additionally, certain jurisdictions in which our homebuilding subsidiaries operate have proposed or enacted growth initiatives that may restrict the number of building permits available in any given year. Although future conditions or governmental actions may impact our ability to obtain necessary permits or water and sewer taps, we currently believe that we have, or can obtain, water and sewer taps and building permits for our homebuilding subsidiaries’ land inventory and land held for development.

      Our homebuilding operations also are affected by environmental laws and regulations pertaining to availability of water, municipal sewage treatment capacity, stormwater discharges, land use, hazardous waste disposal, naturally occurring radioactive materials, building materials, population density and preservation of endangered species, natural terrain and vegetation. Due to these considerations, our homebuilding subsidiaries generally obtain an environmental site assessment for parcels of land that they acquire. The particular environmental laws and regulations that apply to any given homebuilding project vary greatly according to a particular site’s location, the site’s environmental conditions and the present and former uses. These environmental laws may result in project delays, cause us to incur substantial compliance and other costs and/or prohibit or severely restrict homebuilding activity in certain environmentally sensitive regions or areas.

Product liability litigation and warranty claims that arise in the ordinary course of business may be costly.

      As a homebuilder, we are subject to construction defect and home warranty claims, including moisture intrusion and related mold claims, arising in the ordinary course of business. These claims are common to the homebuilding industry and can be costly. In addition, the costs of insuring against construction defect and product liability claims are high and the amount of coverage offered by insurance companies is currently limited. This coverage may be further restricted and become more costly. If we are not able to obtain adequate insurance against these claims, we may experience losses that could hurt our business.

The level of our indebtedness could prevent us from fulfilling certain obligations.

      We have significant debt service obligations. At June 30, 2004, we had total consolidated indebtedness of approximately $660.4 million. The degree to which we are leveraged could have important consequences to you, including:

  •  our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements or other purposes may be limited;

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  •  a portion of our cash flows from operations must be used to pay principal and interest on our outstanding debt securities and other indebtedness, which will reduce the funds available to us for other purposes;
 
  •  our level of indebtedness could limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business; and
 
  •  our indebtedness could make us more vulnerable in the event of a downturn in our business or in general economic conditions.

      Our ability to meet our debt service and other obligations will depend upon our future performance and we may not be able to meet such obligations. We are engaged in businesses that are substantially affected by changes in economic cycles, and our revenues and earnings vary with the level of general economic activity in the markets in which we build homes, many of which are beyond our control. Our ability to meet our debt service obligations may also be affected by changes in prevailing interest rates, as borrowings under certain of our existing credit facilities bear interest at floating rates.

      In the event that internally generated funds and amounts available under our existing credit facilities are not sufficient to fund our capital expenditures and our debt service obligations, we would be required to raise additional funds through the sale of equity securities, the refinancing of all or part of our indebtedness or the sale of assets. These alternatives are dependent upon financial, business and other general economic factors affecting us, many of which are beyond our control, and any or all of the alternatives may not be available to us. While we believe that cash flow generated by operations, along with borrowing availability under existing credit facilities, will provide adequate sources of long-term liquidity, a significant drop in operating cash flows resulting from economic conditions, competition or other uncertainties beyond our control could increase the need for refinancing, new capital or both.

Our company structure may affect your investment.

      Substantially all of our operations are conducted through our homebuilding subsidiaries and HomeAmerican. As a result, we are dependent upon our subsidiaries’ results of operations and rely on dividends, advances and transfers of funds from our subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet our ongoing debt service obligations. Our subsidiaries’ ability to pay such dividends or make such advances and transfers will be subject to, among other things, applicable state law and contractual restrictions imposed by existing and future agreements and debt instruments that we or our subsidiaries have or may enter into.

The interests of certain control persons may be adverse to investors.

      Larry A. Mizel, David D. Mandarich and other of our affiliates own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate, almost 30% of our outstanding common stock. Such persons may effectively be able to elect our entire board of directors and control our management, operations and affairs. Circumstances may occur in which the interest of the controlling shareholders could be in conflict with your interests. The large percentage of stock held by these persons could also delay or prevent a change of control.

Natural disasters could increase our costs and lower profits.

      The climates and geology of many of the states in which we operate, including California and Florida, present increased risks of natural disasters. To the extent that hurricanes, severe storms, earthquakes, droughts, floods, wildfires or other natural disasters or similar events occur, the homebuilding industry in general, and our business in particular, in such states may face increased costs and/or decreased market demand for homes.

USE OF PROCEEDS

      Except as may otherwise be described in the prospectus supplement relating to an offering of securities, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered under this prospectus and the prospectus

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supplement for general corporate purposes. We will determine any specific allocation of the net proceeds of an offering of securities to a specific purpose at the time of the offering and will describe the allocation in the related prospectus supplement.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

      The following table sets forth our consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods shown. In computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, fixed charges consist of homebuilding and corporate interest expense plus:

  •  amortization and expensing of debt expenses;
 
  •  amortization of discount or premium relating to indebtedness; and
 
  •  capitalized interest.

      Earnings are computed by adding fixed charges, except capitalized interest, and amortization of previously capitalized interest during the period to income before income taxes. To date we have not issued any preferred stock. Therefore, the ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirements are the same as the ratios of earnings to fixed charges presented below.

                                                 
Six Months Year Ended December 31,
Ended
June 30, 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999






Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (unaudited)
    12.83       8.87       10.97       9.94       7.52       7.02  

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

      MDC has authorized 100,000,000 shares of common stock. At July 30, 2004, we had approximately 32,581,000 shares outstanding. Common stockholders have one vote for each share held of record in any stockholder vote. Common stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. The board of directors is divided into three classes. The members of each class serve a three-year term.

      MDC is subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which limits the ability of a publicly held Delaware corporation to consummate a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date such person became an “interested stockholder” unless:

  •  before such person became an interested stockholder, the board of directors of the corporation approved the transaction in which the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder or approved the business combination;
 
  •  upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the interested stockholder’s becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced (excluding shares held by directors who also are officers of the corporation and certain shares held by employee stock plans); or
 
  •  following the transaction in which such person became an interested stockholder, the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized at a meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of 66- 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation not owned by the interested stockholder.

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      An “interested stockholder” generally is defined as a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or, within the prior three years, owned) 15% or more of a corporation’s outstanding voting stock. For purposes of Section 203, the term “business combination” is defined broadly to include:

  •  mergers with or caused by the interested stockholder;
 
  •  sales or other dispositions to the interested stockholder (except proportionately with the corporation’s other stockholders) of assets of the corporation or a subsidiary equal to 10% or more of the aggregate market value of the corporation’s consolidated assets or its outstanding stock;
 
  •  the issuance or transfer by the corporation or a subsidiary of stock of the corporation or such subsidiary to the interested stockholder (except for transfers in a conversion or exchange or a pro rata distribution or other transactions that do not increase the interested stockholder’s proportionate ownership of any class or series of the corporation’s or such subsidiary’s stock); or
 
  •  receipt by the interested stockholder (except proportionately as a stockholder), directly or indirectly, of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation or a subsidiary.

      Our certificate of incorporation contains provisions similar to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. These provisions require that the holders of 80% of the shares of outstanding voting stock must approve business combinations with or proposed by an interested stockholder, which includes a beneficial owner of 10% of the outstanding shares of voting stock of MDC. This approval is not required if the transaction is approved by a majority of the continuing directors, which means those directors unaffiliated with the interested stockholder and serving prior to the interested stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, or if minimum price requirements are met.

      The types of business combinations covered by these provisions include:

  •  mergers and consolidations with an interested stockholder;
 
  •  the transfer by us of $15,000,000 or more of assets or securities to an interested stockholder;
 
  •  any proposal for our liquidation or dissolution; or
 
  •  any transaction which has the effect of increasing an interested stockholder’s proportionate ownership of our capital stock.

      The same provisions also apply to any amendment to our bylaws that is proposed by an interested stockholder.

      In the case of any business combination with an interested stockholder involving payments to holders of common stock, the fair market value per share of the payments would have to be at least equal to the highest of the following:

  •  the highest price per share of the common stock paid by the interested stockholder during the two years before the public announcement of the proposed business combination or in the transaction in which it became an interested stockholder, whichever is higher; and
 
  •  the fair market value per share of the common stock on the date of the public announcement of the proposed business combination or on the date on which the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder, whichever is higher.

      “Fair market value” is the highest stock exchange closing price or closing bid in the 30 days preceding the date in question, and, in the case of other property, the fair market value as determined by a majority of the continuing directors.

      All other action by the common stockholders requires:

  •  that a majority of the shares be present at a meeting; and
 
  •  that a majority of the shares present vote for the action.

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      Larry A. Mizel, our Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, and David D. Mandarich, our President and Chief Operating Officer, together beneficially own more than 20% of the outstanding common stock and so have the ability to veto any 80% stockholder vote.

      We will pay dividends on the common stock when declared by our board of directors from funds legally available. On July 27, 2004, our board of directors declared a dividend of $.15 per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 to the stockholders of record on August 11, 2004. On April 26, 2004, our board of directors declared a dividend of $0.15 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 to the stockholders of record on May 12, 2004. On February 23, 2004, our board of directors declared a 10% stock dividend to the stockholders of record on March 8, 2004. The stock dividend was distributed on March 23, 2004. On January 26, 2004, our board of directors declared a dividend of $0.114 per share (as restated for the 10% stock dividend) for the quarter ended December 31, 2003 to the stockholders of record on February 11, 2004. On liquidation of MDC, holders of common stock will share in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to the rights of any outstanding preferred stock. The shares of common stock are not redeemable or convertible, and the holders of common stock have no preemptive or subscription rights to purchase any of our securities.

      The transfer agent for the common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, New York, New York.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

      MDC has authorized 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, none of which were outstanding as of July 30, 2004. Shares of preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, as authorized by our board of directors with any rights and restrictions that are specified by our board of directors and permitted by Delaware law. When our board of directors specifies the terms of the preferred stock, the terms will be set forth in a certificate of designations to be filed with the secretary of state of Delaware. Upon filing, the certificate of designations will be an amendment to our certificate of incorporation under Delaware law. The preferred stock will have no preemptive rights. Our board of directors may authorize preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of discouraging a takeover or other transaction that holders of common stock might believe to be in their best interests or in which holders of some, or a majority, of the shares of common stock might receive a premium for their shares over the then market price of the shares of common stock.

      The terms of each series of preferred stock will be described in any prospectus supplement related to the series of preferred stock and may include the following:

  •  the title and stated value of the preferred stock;
 
  •  the number of shares of the preferred stock offered and the offering price and liquidation preference per share of the preferred stock;
 
  •  the dividend rates, periods and payment dates or methods of calculation applicable to the preferred stock;
 
  •  the date from which any dividends on the preferred stock will accumulate;
 
  •  the procedures for any auction and remarketing of the preferred stock;
 
  •  any provision for a sinking fund for the preferred stock;
 
  •  any provision for redemption of the preferred stock;
 
  •  any voting rights of holders of the preferred stock;
 
  •  any rights to convert the preferred stock into common stock or participate in dividends paid on the common stock;

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  •  the relative ranking and preference of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights on liquidation of MDC;
 
  •  any limitations on issuing any series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights on liquidation of MDC; and
 
  •  any other specific rights or restrictions of the preferred stock.

      The transfer agent for the preferred stock will be identified in the prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES

      The debt securities will be direct unsecured obligations of MDC and may be senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities or junior subordinated debt securities. The total amount of additional debt securities that we may issue is limited by covenants in our existing debt instruments to approximately $1.27 billion as of June 30, 2004, assuming no additional cash flow.

      The debt securities will be issued under one or more indentures in the form that has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The indentures will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. We have entered into an indenture dated as of December 3, 2002, by and among MDC and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, as supplemented through the date of this prospectus. This existing indenture also has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Any future debt securities issued by us may be issued under a supplemental indenture to the existing indenture or under a new indenture that we enter into with the trustee at the time the debt is issued. As of June 30, 2004, we had issued a total of $500 million of senior debt under the existing indenture. There is no limit to the amount of debt authorized under the existing indenture, but the amount of debt we may issue is limited by the financial covenants noted above.

      MDC may issue the debt securities in one or more series. Specific terms of each series of debt securities will be contained in resolutions of our board of directors or in a supplemental indenture. The specific terms will be described in a prospectus supplement.

      All debt securities of one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of the series without the consent of the holders.

      The specific terms of the debt securities may include any of the following:

  •  the title of the debt securities and whether the debt securities are senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities or junior subordinated debt securities;
 
  •  the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities and any limit on the aggregate principal amount;
 
  •  the price at which the debt securities will be issued;
 
  •  any right of the holders to convert the debt securities into stock, including the initial conversion price and rate and the conversion period and any limitations on the transferability of the stock received on conversion;
 
  •  the dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable;
 
  •  the interest rates, which may be fixed or variable;
 
  •  the dates from which any interest will accrue, the dates on which the interest will be payable, the record dates for the interest payments, the persons to whom the interest will be payable, and the manner of calculating interest;
 
  •  any right of MDC to extend the dates on which principal or interest will be payable;

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  •  the places where the principal and any interest will be payable, where the debt securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer and where notices to MDC regarding the debt securities and the indenture may be served;
 
  •  any right of MDC to elect to redeem the debt securities, including the redemption prices and redemption periods;
 
  •  any obligation of MDC to redeem the debt securities under any sinking fund or similar provision or at the option of a holder, including the redemption prices and redemption periods;
 
  •  any guarantees by subsidiaries of MDC that may guarantee the debt securities, including the terms of any subordination of any guarantee to other obligations of MDC;
 
  •  the events that would cause us to be in default and the consequences of default; and
 
  •  any discharge and release provisions of the indenture.

      The debt securities may be issued at a discount below their principal amount and provide for less than the entire principal amount to be payable on acceleration of the maturity. In that case, all material U.S. federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable to the securities will be described in the prospectus supplement.

      Except as may be set forth in any prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that would limit our ability to incur debt or that would protect holders of debt securities in the event of a change of control of MDC. The prospectus supplement will contain information with respect to any changes to the events of default of MDC that are described below.

Covenants

      The prospectus supplement will describe any material covenants of a series of debt securities.

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

      The prospectus supplement and each indenture will describe the events that would cause us to be in default and the consequences of default, including the following:

  •  failure to pay any interest when due that continues for a period of 30 days;
 
  •  failure to pay the principal when due;
 
  •  breach of any other covenant or warranty of MDC in the indenture that continues for a period of 90 days after written notice as provided in the indenture; and
 
  •  any other event of default provided in the indenture.

      If an event of default under any indenture occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of that series will have the right to declare the principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately by written notice to MDC and to the trustee if given by the holders. If the debt securities of that series were issued at a discount or are indexed securities, only the portion of the principal amount specified in the terms of the securities may be declared due and payable. However, at any time after the declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of the series has been made, but before a judgment for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority of the principal amount of outstanding debt securities of the series may rescind the acceleration if all conditions set forth in the indenture are met.

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      The indentures also will provide that the holders of a majority of the principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive any past default and its consequences, except a default:

  •  in the payment of the principal or interest or
 
  •  of a provision contained in the indenture that cannot be amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected.

      The indentures will provide for other procedures that may be followed by holders of debt securities, the trustee of any series of debt securities, or both, if an event of default occurs.

Amendment of the Indentures

      Amendments of an indenture are permitted with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities issued under the indenture affected by the modification or amendment. However, no amendment may, without the consent of each holder of debt securities affected:

  •  reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
 
  •  reduce the rate of interest or change the time for payment of interest, including defaulted interest, on any debt security;
 
  •  reduce the principal or change the fixed maturity or alter any redemption provision or any obligations of MDC to offer to purchase or to redeem debt securities;
 
  •  modify the ranking or priority of the debt securities or any guarantee;
 
  •  release any guarantor from any of its obligations under its guarantee, except as described in the indenture;
 
  •  waive a continuing default in the payment of principal or interest; or
 
  •  make any debt security payable at a different place or in different currency, or impair the right of any holder to bring suit.

      The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series may, on behalf of all holders, waive compliance by MDC with restrictive covenants of the series.

      We and the trustee may amend the indenture to, among other things, correct errors and ambiguities without the consent of any holder of debt securities as set forth in the indenture and as described in the prospectus supplement.

Subordination

      The prospectus supplement will describe any subordination provisions and will define the senior debt to which the debt securities may be subordinated and will set forth the approximate amount of senior debt outstanding as of the end of our most recent fiscal quarter.

Discharge

      Except as otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, when (1) all debt securities of a series have become due and payable or will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, and (2) we deposit with the trustee funds to pay all amounts due on the entire outstanding series of debt securities, then we will have satisfied the indenture with respect to the series.

      Except as otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, the indentures will provide that we may elect either (1) to be discharged from any series of debt securities or (2) to be released from certain obligations with respect to the debt securities under the indenture, in either case after depositing with the trustee enough money to pay all amounts due on the debt securities on the scheduled due dates.

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      In addition, we must have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the holders of the debt securities (1) will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the discharge or release from obligations and (2) will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the discharge or release had not occurred. After a discharge, the holders of the debt securities would be able to look only to the trust fund for payment of principal and interest.

Payment and Paying Agents

      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, principal and interest will be payable at the corporate trust office of the trustee, the address of which will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. However, at our option, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to payment as it appears in the register for the debt securities or by wire transfer of funds to the person at an account maintained within the United States.

      All moneys paid by us to a paying agent or a trustee for the payment of principal or interest which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after the payment has become due will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security then may look only to us for payment.

BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE

      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Depository Trust Company, or DTC, will act as depository for securities issued in the form of global securities. The securities will be issued only as fully-registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTC’s nominee. One or more fully-registered global securities will be issued for the securities representing in the aggregate the total number of the securities, and will be deposited with or on behalf of DTC.

      DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered under the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. DTC is owned by a number of its direct participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system also is available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain custodial relationships with direct participants, either directly or through others. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

      Purchases of securities within the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC’s records. The beneficial ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each security is in turn recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases. However, beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which the beneficial owners purchased securities. Transfers of ownership interests in securities issued in the form of global securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the securities, except if use of the book-entry system for the securities is discontinued.

      DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities issued in the form of global securities. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the securities

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are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

      Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

      Redemption notices will be sent to Cede & Co. as the registered holder of securities issued in the form of global securities. If less than all of a series of the securities are being redeemed, DTC’s current practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant to be redeemed.

      Although voting with respect to securities issued in the form of global securities is limited to the holders of record of the securities, in those instances in which a vote is required, neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will itself consent or vote with respect to the securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC would mail an omnibus proxy to the issuer of the securities as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to whose accounts the securities are credited on the record date, identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.

      Payments for securities issued in the form of global securities will be made by the issuer of the securities to DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts on the payment date in accordance with their holdings shown on DTC’s records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payments on the payment date. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the participant and not of DTC, the trustee or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements. Payments to DTC are the responsibility of the issuer of the securities, disbursements of the payments to direct participants are the responsibility of DTC, and disbursements of the payments to the beneficial owners are the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

      DTC may discontinue providing its services as depository with respect to any securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to the issuer of the securities. In the event that a successor depository is not obtained, individual security certificates representing the securities are required to be printed and delivered. We may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC or a successor depository.

      The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be accurate, though DTC has declined to pass upon the accuracy of the statements contained herein. We have no responsibility for the performance by DTC or its participants of their respective obligations as described in this prospectus or under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

      Any of the securities being offered may be sold in any one or more of the following ways from time to time:

  •  through agents;
 
  •  to or through underwriters;
 
  •  through dealers; and
 
  •  directly by MDC.

      The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

      Offers to purchase securities may be solicited by agents designated by us. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities will be named, and any commissions payable by us to the agent will be set

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forth, in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the agent will be acting on a reasonable best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. The agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933, of the securities so offered and sold.

      If securities are sold by means of an underwritten offering or an at-the-market offering as described in Rule 415 (a)(4), we will execute an underwriting agreement with underwriters at the time an agreement for the sale is reached. For an underwritten offering, the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, the amounts underwritten and the terms of the transaction, including commissions, discounts and any other compensation of the underwriters and dealers, will be set forth in the prospectus supplement which will be used by the underwriters to make resales of the securities. For an at-the-market offering, we will file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, to identify the underwriter or underwriters acting as principal(s) or as our agent(s) in the offering. The underwriters will acquire securities for their own account and may resell them from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at fixed public offering prices or at varying prices determined by the underwriters at the time of sale. Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by one or more underwriters. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the underwriting agreement will provide that the obligations of the underwriters are subject to conditions precedent and that the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities if any are purchased.

      We may grant to the underwriters options to purchase additional securities to cover any over-allotments at the initial public offering price, with additional underwriting commissions or discounts, as may be set forth in the prospectus supplement.

      If a dealer is used in the sale of the securities, we will sell the securities to the dealer as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. The dealer may be deemed to be an underwriter, as the term is defined in the Securities Act, of the securities so offered and sold. The name of the dealer and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the prospectus supplement.

      Offers to purchase securities may be solicited directly by us and may be sold by us directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale. The terms of the sales will be described in the prospectus supplement.

      If described in the prospectus supplement, securities may also be offered and sold, in connection with a remarketing on their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment under their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and its compensation and the terms of any agreement with us will be described in the prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, in connection with the securities remarketed.

      If described in the prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents and underwriters to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement under delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in the prospectus supplement. The delayed delivery contracts will be subject to only those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement. A commission indicated in the prospectus supplement will be paid to underwriters and agents soliciting purchases of securities under delayed delivery contracts accepted by us.

      Agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms may be entitled under agreements with us to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution for payments that the agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms may be required to make.

      Each series of securities will be a new issue. Other than the common stock, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Pacific Stock Exchange, new securities will have no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of securities on an exchange, and in the case of the common stock, on any

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additional exchange, but, unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, we will not be obligated to do so. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

      Agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, MDC and its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

LEGAL MATTERS

      The validity of the common stock and the preferred stock and the status of the debt securities as binding obligations of MDC and any guarantees as binding obligations of the guarantors will be passed on for MDC by Holme Roberts & Owen LLP, Denver, Colorado.

EXPERTS

      The consolidated financial statements of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. appearing in M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2003, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

      We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You may read and copy this information at the following location of the SEC:

Judiciary Plaza, Room 10024

450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

      You can also obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public Reference Room of the SEC, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 10024, Washington D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330.

      The SEC also maintains an Internet world wide web site that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, like MDC, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov.

      We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 that registers the securities we are offering. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits and schedules, contains additional relevant information about us and our securities. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit certain information included in the registration statement from this prospectus.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

      The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, except for any information that is superseded by information that is included directly in this document.

      This prospectus includes by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC (File No. 001-08951) and that are not included in or delivered with this document (provided, however,

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that we are not incorporating any information furnished under either Item 9 or Item 12 of any Current Report on Form 8-K). They contain important information about our company and its financial condition.
         
Filing Period


Annual Report on Form 10-K
    Year ended December 31, 2003  
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
    Quarter ended March 31, 2004  
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
    Quarter ended June 30, 2004  
Current Report on Form 8-K
    Dated April 13, 2004  

      All documents filed by us pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part of this prospectus from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

      You can obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this document from us without charge, excluding any exhibits to those documents unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit to this prospectus. You can obtain documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from us at the following address:

Joseph H. Fretz

Secretary and Corporate Counsel
M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.
3600 South Yosemite Street
Suite 900
Denver, Colorado 80237
(303) 773-1100

      Our website is located at www.richmondamerican.com. All reports we file with the SEC can be accessed, free of charge, through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after the report is electronically filed with the SEC, under the investor relations section of our website. The information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus.

      We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about us that is different from, or in addition to, that contained in this prospectus or in any of the materials that we have incorporated by reference into this document. Therefore, if anyone does give you information of this sort, you should keep in mind that such information has not been authorized and may therefore not be accurate. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this document are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this document does not extend to you.

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(M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC. LOGO)

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

3600 S. Yosemite Street

Suite 900
Denver, Colorado 80237
(303) 773-1100

$1,000,000,000


          The following are types of securities that we may offer and sell under this prospectus:

             
  common stock     debt securities
  preferred stock        


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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 
Item 16. Exhibits.
         
Exhibit No. Description


  1 .1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  4 .1(a)+   Form of Senior Indenture by and between M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. and           , as trustee.
  4 .1(b)+   Form of Senior Subordinated Indenture by and between M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. and           , as trustee.
  4 .1(c)+   Form of Junior Subordinated Indenture by and between M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. and           , as trustee.
  4 .2   Indenture dated as of December 3, 2002, by and among M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association.
  5 .1   Form of Opinion of Holme Roberts & Owen LLP.
  12 .1++   Computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges.
  23 .1   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.
  23 .2   Consent of Holme Roberts & Owen LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
  24 .1+++   Powers of Attorney.
  25 .1   Statement of Eligibility of Trustee — U.S. Bank National Association.


  *  MDC will file any underwriting agreement that it may enter into as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K which is incorporated by reference into this registration statement.

  +  Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 Registration Statement filed by MDC on April 6, 1999 (registration No. 333-70381).
 
 ++  Incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q filed by MDC for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.
 
 
+++  Previously filed.

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SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each co-registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Denver, State of Colorado, on the 1st day of September, 2004.

  M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF MARYLAND, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF NEVADA, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF VIRGINIA, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF ARIZONA, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF COLORADO, INC.
  M.D.C. LAND CORPORATION
  RAH OF TEXAS, LP
  RAH TEXAS HOLDINGS, LLC
  RICHMOND AMERICAN CONSTRUCTION, INC.
  RAH OF FLORIDA, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF TEXAS, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF UTAH, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF WEST VIRGINIA, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF ILLINOIS, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF DELAWARE, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF FLORIDA, LP
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF NEW JERSEY, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES TWO, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES THREE, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES FOUR, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES FIVE, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES SIX, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES SEVEN, INC.

  By:  /s/ PARIS G. REECE
 
  Paris G. Reece III
  Authorized Officer

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      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement or amendment thereto has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated, on the 1st day of September, 2004.

MDC OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

  Principal Executive Officer:
 
  /s/ *
 
  Larry A. Mizel,
  Chairman of the Board of Directors
  and Chief Executive Officer
 
  Chief Operating Officer:
 
  /s/ *
 
  David D. Mandarich,
  Director, President and
  Chief Operating Officer
 
  Principal Financial and Accounting Officer:
 
  /s/ PARIS G. REECE
 
  Paris G. Reece III,
  Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
  Officer and Principal Accounting Officer
 
  Other Directors:
 
  /s/ *
 
  David E. Blackford
 
  /s/ *
 
  Steven J. Borick
 
  /s/ *
 
  William B. Kemper
 
  /s/ *
 
  Herbert T. Buchwald
 
  /s/ *
 
  Gilbert Goldstein

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CO-REGISTRANT OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF MARYLAND, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF NEVADA, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF VIRGINIA, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN CONSTRUCTION, INC.
  RAH OF FLORIDA, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF TEXAS, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF UTAH, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF WEST VIRGINIA, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF ILLINOIS, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF DELAWARE, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF NEW JERSEY, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES TWO, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES THREE, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES FOUR, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES FIVE, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES SIX, INC.
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES SEVEN, INC.
 
  Principal Executive, Financial and Accounting Officer:
 
  /s/ PARIS G. REECE
 
  Paris G. Reece III,
  Executive Vice President, Director
 
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF ARIZONA, INC.
  Principal Executive, Financial and Accounting Officer:
 
  /s/ PARIS G. REECE
 
  Paris G. Reece III,
  Vice President, Director
 
  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF COLORADO, INC.
  Principal Executive Officer:
 
  /s/ *
 
  David D. Mandarich,
  President

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  Principal Financial and Accounting Officer:
 
  /s/ PARIS G. REECE
 
  Paris G. Reece III,
  Vice President and Director
 
  M.D.C. LAND CORPORATION
  Principal Executive, Financial and Accounting Officer:
 
  /s/ PARIS G. REECE
 
  Paris G. Reece III,
  President and Director
 
  Other Directors:
 
  /s/ *
 
  Herbert T. Buchwald
 
  /s/ MICHAEL TOUFF
 
  Michael Touff
 
  RAH OF TEXAS, LP

  By:  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF TEXAS, INC.,
  its General Partner
  Principal Executive, Financial and Accounting Officer:
 
  /s/ PARIS G. REECE
 
  Paris G. Reece III,
  Executive Vice President, Director
 
  RAH TEXAS HOLDINGS, LLC
  Principal Executive, Financial and Accounting Officer:
 
  /s/ PARIS G. REECE
 
  Paris G. Reece III,
  President and Sole Manager

II-5


Table of Contents

  RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES OF FLORIDA, LP

  By:  RAH OF FLORIDA, INC.
  its General Partner
  Principal Executive, Financial and Accounting Officer:
 
  /s/ PARIS G. REECE
 
  Paris G. Reece III,
  Executive Vice President, Director

* By: /s/ JOSEPH H. FRETZ  

 
Joseph H. Fretz,  
Attorney in fact  

II-6


Table of Contents

Exhibit Index

         
Exhibit No. Description


  1 .1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  4 .1(a)+   Form of Senior Indenture by and between M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. and           , as trustee.
  4 .1(b)+   Form of Senior Subordinated Indenture by and between M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. and           , as trustee.
  4 .1(c)+   Form of Junior Subordinated Indenture by and between M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. and           , as trustee.
  4 .2   Indenture dated as of December 3, 2002, by and among M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association.
  5 .1   Form of Opinion of Holme Roberts & Owen LLP.
  12 .1++   Computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges.
  23 .1   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.
  23 .2   Consent of Holme Roberts & Owen LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
  24 .1+++   Powers of Attorney.
  25 .1   Statement of Eligibility of Trustee — U.S. Bank National Association.


  *  MDC will file any underwriting agreement that it may enter into as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K which is incorporated by reference into this registration statement.

  +  Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 Registration Statement filed by MDC on April 6, 1999 (registration No. 333-70381).
 
 ++  Incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q filed by MDC for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.
 
 
+++  Previously filed.

II-7

 

EXHIBIT 4.2



M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Senior Debt Securities


INDENTURE

Dated as of December 3, 2002


U.S. Bank National Association, Trustee



 


 

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

     
TIA Section
  Indenture Section
310(a)(1)
  7.10
(a)(2)
  7.10
(a)(3)
  N.A.
(a)(4)
  N.A.
(b)
  7.08; 7.10; 10.02
311(a)
  7.11
(b)
  7.11
(c)
  N.A.
312(a)
  2.05
(b)
  10.03
(c)
  10.03
313(a)
  7.06
(b)(1)
  N.A.
(b)(2)
  7.06
(c)
  10.02
(d)
  7.06
314(a)
  7.06; 10.02
(b)
  N.A.
(c)(1)
  10.04
(c)(2)
  10.04
(c)(3)
  N.A.
(d)
  N.A.
(e)
  10.05
(f)
  N.A.
315(a)
  7.01(b)
(b)
  7.05; 10.02
(c)
  7.01(a)
(d)
  7.01(c)
(e)
  6.11
316(a)(last sentence)
  2.12
(a)(1)(A)
  6.05
(a)(1)(B)
  6.04
(a)(2)
  N.A.
(b)
  6.07
(c)
  9.04
317(a)(1)
  6.08
(a)(2)
  6.09
(b)
  2.04
318(a)
  10.01

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

             
        Page
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
       
SECTION 1.01.
  Definitions     1  
SECTION 1.02.
  Other Definitions     5  
SECTION 1.03.
  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act     6  
SECTION 1.04.
  Rules of Construction     6  
ARTICLE TWO
THE SECURITIES
       
SECTION 2.01.
  Form and Dating     7  
SECTION 2.02.
  Execution and Authentication     8  
SECTION 2.03.
  Registrar and Paying Agent     9  
SECTION 2.04.
  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust     9  
SECTION 2.05.
  Securityholder Lists     10  
SECTION 2.06.
  Transfer and Exchange     10  
SECTION 2.07.
  Replacement Securities     10  
SECTION 2.08.
  Outstanding Securities     11  
SECTION 2.09.
  Temporary Securities     11  
SECTION 2.10.
  Cancellation     11  
SECTION 2.11.
  Defaulted Interest     12  
SECTION 2.12.
  Treasury Securities     12  
SECTION 2.13.
  CUSIP Numbers     12  
SECTION 2.14.
  Deposit of Moneys     12  
SECTION 2.15.
  Book-Entry Provisions for Global Security     13  
ARTICLE THREE
REDEMPTION
       
SECTION 3.01.
  Notices to Trustee     14  
SECTION 3.02.
  Selection of Securities to be Redeemed     14  
SECTION 3.03.
  Notice of Redemption     15  
SECTION 3.04.
  Effect of Notice of Redemption     15  
SECTION 3.05.
  Deposit of Redemption Price     16  
SECTION 3.06.
  Securities Redeemed in Part     16  

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        Page
ARTICLE FOUR
COVENANTS
       
SECTION 4.01.
  Payment of Securities     16  
SECTION 4.02.
  Maintenance of Office or Agency     16  
SECTION 4.03.
  Compliance Certificate     16  
SECTION 4.04.
  Payment of Taxes; Maintenance of Corporate Existence; Maintenance of Properties     17  
ARTICLE FIVE
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
       
SECTION 5.01.
  When Company May Merge, etc.     18  
ARTICLE SIX
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
       
SECTION 6.01.
  Events of Default     19  
SECTION 6.02.
  Acceleration     21  
SECTION 6.03.
  Other Remedies     21  
SECTION 6.04.
  Waiver of Existing Defaults     22  
SECTION 6.05.
  Control by Majority     22  
SECTION 6.06.
  Limitation on Suits     22  
SECTION 6.07.
  Rights of Holders to Receive Payment     23  
SECTION 6.08.
  Collection Suit by Trustee     23  
SECTION 6.09.
  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim     23  
SECTION 6.10.
  Priorities     23  
SECTION 6.11.
  Undertaking for Costs     24  
ARTICLE SEVEN
TRUSTEE
       
SECTION 7.01.
  Duties of Trustee     24  
SECTION 7.02.
  Rights of Trustee     25  
SECTION 7.03.
  Individual Rights of Trustee     26  
SECTION 7.04.
  Trustee’s Disclaimer     27  
SECTION 7.05.
  Notice of Defaults     27  
SECTION 7.06.
  Reports by Trustee to Holders     27  
SECTION 7.07.
  Compensation and Indemnity     27  

-ii-


 

             
        Page
SECTION 7.08.
  Replacement of Trustee     28  
SECTION 7.09.
  Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.     29  
SECTION 7.10.
  Eligibility; Disqualification     29  
SECTION 7.11.
  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company     29  
ARTICLE EIGHT
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
       
SECTION 8.01.
  Defeasance Upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government Obligations     29  
SECTION 8.02.
  Survival of the Company’s Obligations     33  
SECTION 8.03.
  Application of Trust Money     33  
SECTION 8.04.
  Repayment to the Company     33  
SECTION 8.05.
  Reinstatement     33  
ARTICLE NINE
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
       
SECTION 9.01.
  Without Consent of Holders     34  
SECTION 9.02.
  With Consent of Holders     34  
SECTION 9.03.
  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act     35  
SECTION 9.04.
  Revocation and Effect of Consents     36  
SECTION 9.05.
  Notation on or Exchange of Securities     36  
SECTION 9.06.
  Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.     36  
ARTICLE TEN
MISCELLANEOUS
       
SECTION 10.01.
  Trust Indenture Act Controls     37  
SECTION 10.02.
  Notices     37  
SECTION 10.03.
  Communications by Holders with Other Holders     38  
SECTION 10.04.
  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent     38  
SECTION 10.05.
  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion     39  
SECTION 10.06.
  Rules by Trustee and Agents     39  
SECTION 10.07.
  Legal Holidays     39  
SECTION 10.08.
  Governing Law     39  
SECTION 10.09.
  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements     39  
SECTION 10.10.
  No Recourse Against Others     40  
SECTION 10.11.
  Successors and Assigns     40  

-iii-


 

             
        Page
SECTION 10.12.
  Duplicate Originals     40  
SECTION 10.13.
  Severability     40  

-iv-


 

               INDENTURE dated as of December 3, 2002, by and among M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and U.S. Bank National Association, (the “Trustee”).

               Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Company’s debt securities issued under this Indenture (the “Securities”):

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

SECTION 1.01. Definitions.

               “Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, the term “control” means (a) the power to direct the management and policies of a Person, either directly or through one or more intermediaries, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise, or (b) without limiting the foregoing, ownership of 10% or more of the voting power of the voting common equity of such Person (on a fully diluted basis). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Affiliate” will not include, with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, any Restricted Subsidiary or, with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary, the Company.

               “Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-Registrar or agent for service of notices and demands.

               “Authorizing Resolution” means a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors or by an Officer or committee of Officers pursuant to Board delegation authorizing a Series of Securities.

               “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

               “Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any authorized committee thereof.

               “Capital Stock” means any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of or in a Person’s capital stock or other equity interests, and options, rights or warrants to purchase such capital stock or other equity interests, whether

 


 

now outstanding or issued after the Issue Date, including, without limitation, all Preferred Stock of such Person if such Person is a corporation or membership interests if such Person is a limited liability company and each general and limited partnership interest of such Person if such Person is a partnership.

               “Capitalized Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of such obligations will be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

               “Company” means the Person named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to the Indenture and thereafter means the successor.

               “Default” means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the passage of time or both would be, unless otherwise timely cured, an Event of Default.

               “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States, as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

               “Guarantee” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in a manner (including, without limitation, letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness.

               “Guarantors” means M.D.C. Land Corporation, RAH of Texas, LP, RAH Texas Holdings, LLC, Richmond American Construction, Inc., Richmond American Homes of Arizona, Inc., Richmond American Homes of California, Inc., Richmond American Homes of California (Inland Empire), Inc., Richmond American Homes of Colorado, Inc., Richmond American Homes of Maryland, Inc., Richmond American Homes of Nevada, Inc., Richmond American Homes of Texas, Inc., Richmond American Homes of Utah, Inc., Richmond American Homes of Virginia, Inc., and Richmond American Homes of West Virginia, Inc.; and any other Subsidiary of the Company that executes and delivers a guarantee of the Notes pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture.

               “Holder” or “Securityholder” means the person in whose name a Security is registered on the Registrar’s books.

-2-


 

               “Indebtedness” means (a) any liability of any Person (i) for borrowed money, or (ii) evidenced by a bond, note, debenture or similar instrument (including a purchase money obligation) given in connection with the acquisition of any businesses, properties or assets of any kind (other than a trade payable or a current liability arising in the ordinary course of business), or (iii) for the payment of money relating to a Capitalized Lease Obligation or (iv) for all Redeemable Capital Stock valued at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; (b) any liability of others described in the preceding clause (a) that such Person has guaranteed or that is otherwise its legal liability; (c) all Indebtedness referred to in (but not excluded from) clauses (a) and (b) above of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons, the payment of which is secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Security Interest upon or in property (including, without limitation, accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Indebtedness; and (d) any amendment, supplement, modification, deferral, renewal, extension or refunding of any liability of the types referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above.

               “Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time, including pursuant to any Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture pertaining to any Series.

               “1998 Indenture” means the indenture dated as of January 28, 1998 between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association as trustee, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

               “Issue Date” means, with respect to any Series of Securities, the date on which the Securities of such Series are originally issued under this Indenture.

               “Non-Recourse Indebtedness” means Indebtedness or other obligations secured by a lien on property to the extent that the liability for the Indebtedness or other obligations is limited to the security of the property without liability on the part of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than the Restricted Subsidiary which holds title to the property) for any deficiency.

               “Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company.

               “Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers or by an Officer and an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company.

-3-


 

               “Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or the Trustee.

               “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

               “Preferred Stock” of any Person means all Capital Stock of such Person which has a preference in liquidation or with respect to the payment of dividends.

               “Redeemable Capital Stock” means any Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that, either by its terms, by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or exchangeable or otherwise, (a) is or upon the happening of an event or passage of time would be required to be redeemed on or prior to the final stated maturity of the securities or (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof at any time prior to such final stated maturity or (c) is convertible into or exchangeable for debt securities at any time on or prior to such final stated maturity.

               “Restricted Subsidiary” means any Guarantor and any successor to such Guarantor.

               “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency performing the duties now assigned to it under the TIA.

               “Securities” means any Securities that are issued under this Indenture.

               “Security Interests” means any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance or other security interest which secures the payment or performance of an obligation.

               “Series” means a series of Securities established under this Indenture.

               “Subsidiary” means any Person of which at the time of determination by the Company, directly and/or indirectly through one or more Subsidiaries, the Company owns more than 50% of the shares of its Voting Stock.

               “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect from time to time.

               “Trust Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President or any other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters.

-4-


 

               “Trustee” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

               “United States” means the United States of America.

               “U.S. government obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States, which, in either case are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. government obligations or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. government obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depositary receipt; provided, that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. government obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. government obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.

               “Voting Stock” means any class or classes of Capital Stock pursuant to which the holders thereof have the general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees of any Person (irrespective of whether or not, at the time, stock of any other class or classes shall have, or might have, voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).

SECTION 1.02.  Other Definitions.

         
    Defined
Term
  in Section
“Agent Members”
    2.15  
“Business Day”
    10.07  
“Custodian”
    6.01  
“Depositary”
    2.15  
“Event of Default”
    6.01  
“Legal Holiday”
    10.07  
“Paying Agent”
    2.03  
“Registrar”
    2.03  

-5-


 

SECTION 1.03.  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

               Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

               “Commission” means the SEC.

               “indenture securities” means the Securities.

               “indenture security holder” means a Securityholder.

               “indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

               “indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.

               “obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company or any other obligor on the Securities of a Series thereof.

               All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have the meanings so assigned to them.

SECTION 1.04.  Rules of Construction.

               Unless the context otherwise requires:

     (1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

     (2) an accounting term, not otherwise defined, has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

     (3) “or” is not exclusive;

     (4) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular; and

     (5) provisions apply to successive events and transactions.

-6-


 

ARTICLE TWO

THE SECURITIES

SECTION 2.01.  Form and Dating.

               The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be issued under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued from time to time in one or more Series. Each Series shall be created by an Authorizing Resolution or a supplemental indenture that establishes the terms of the Series, which may include the following:

     (1) the title of the Series;

     (2) the aggregate principal amount (or any limit on the aggregate principal amount) of the Series and, if any Securities of a Series are to be issued at a discount from their face amount, the method of computing the accretion of such discount;

     (3) the interest rate or method of calculation of the interest rate;

     (4) the date from which interest will accrue;

     (5) the record dates for interest payable on Securities of the Series;

     (6) the dates when, places where and manner in which principal and interest are payable;

     (7) the Registrar and Paying Agent;

     (8) the terms of any mandatory (including any sinking fund requirements) or optional redemption by the Company;

     (9) the terms of any redemption at the option of Holders;

     (10) the denominations in which Securities are issuable;

     (11) whether Securities will be issued in registered or bearer form and the terms of any such forms of Securities;

     (12) whether any Securities will be represented by a global Security and the terms of any such global Security;

-7-


 

     (13) if payments of principal or interest may be made in a currency other than that in which Securities are denominated, the manner for determining such payments;

     (14) provisions for electronic issuance of Securities or issuance of Securities in uncertificated form;

     (15) any Events of Default, covenants and/or defined terms in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in this Indenture;

     (16) whether and upon what terms Securities may be defeased if different from the provisions set forth in this Indenture;

     (17) the form of the Securities, which, unless the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture otherwise provides, shall be in the form of Exhibit A;

     (18) any terms that may be required by or advisable under applicable law;

     (19) whether, upon what terms and by which entities the Securities will be guaranteed;

     (20) the percentage of the principal amount of the Securities which is payable if the maturity of the Securities is accelerated in the case of Securities issued at a discount from their face amount; and

     (21) any other terms in addition to or different from those contained in this Indenture.

               All Securities of one Series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a Series may be reopened for issuances of additional Securities of such Series pursuant to an Authorizing Resolution, an Officers’ Certificate or in any indenture supplemental hereto.

               The creation and issuance of a Series and the authentication and delivery thereof are not subject to any conditions precedent.

SECTION 2.02.  Execution and Authentication.

               Two Officers shall sign, or one Officer shall sign and one Officer shall attest to, the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

               If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.

-8-


 

               A Security shall not be valid until the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Security. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.

               The Trustee shall authenticate Securities for original issue upon receipt of an Officers’ Certificate of the Company. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

SECTION 2.03.  Registrar and Paying Agent.

               The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”), an office or agency where Securities may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”) and an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Registrar shall keep a register of the Securities and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may have one or more co-Registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.

               The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such Agent and the Trustee shall have the right to inspect the Securities register at all reasonable times to obtain copies thereof, and the Trustee shall have the right to rely upon such register as to the names and addresses of the Holders and the principal amounts and certificate numbers thereof. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent or fails to give the foregoing notice, the Trustee shall act as such.

               The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent.

SECTION 2.04.  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

               Each Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Securityholders and the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Securities, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money and hold it as a separate trust fund. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon doing so the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money.

-9-


 

SECTION 2.05.  Securityholder Lists.

               The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least 5 Business Days before each semi-annual interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Securityholders.

SECTION 2.06.  Transfer and Exchange.

               Where a Security is presented to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if the requirements of Section 8-401(1) of the New York Uniform Commercial Code are met. Where Securities are presented to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of other denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met. To permit transfers and exchanges, the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request. The Registrar need not transfer or exchange any Security selected for redemption, except the unredeemed part thereof if the Security is redeemed in part, or transfer or exchange any Securities for a period of 15 days before a selection of Securities to be redeemed. Any exchange or transfer shall be without charge, except that the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto except in the case of exchanges pursuant to 2.09, 3.06, or 9.05 not involving any transfer.

               Any Holder of a global Security shall, by acceptance of such global Security, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such global Security may be effected only through a book entry system maintained by the Holder of such global Security (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest in the Security shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.

SECTION 2.07. Replacement Securities.

     If the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been lost, destroyed, mutilated or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and, upon written request of any Officer of the Company, the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security; provided, however, in the case of a lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Security, that the requirements of Section 8-405 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code are met. If any such lost, destroyed, mutilated or wrongfully taken Security shall have matured or shall be about to mature, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Security therefor, pay such Security without requiring (except in the case of a mutilated Security) the surrender thereof. An indemnity bond must be sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the Trustee to protect the Company,

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the Trustee or any Agent from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced, including the acquisition of such Security by a bona fide purchaser. The Company or the Trustee may charge the Holder for expenses in replacing a Security.

SECTION 2.08.  Outstanding Securities.

               Securities outstanding at any time are all Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it and those described in this Section. A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or one of its Affiliates holds the Security.

               If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

               If, on a redemption date or maturity date, the Paying Agent holds money sufficient to pay Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

               Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

SECTION 2.09.  Temporary Securities.

               Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and, upon surrender for cancellation of the temporary Security, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities authenticated and delivered hereunder.

SECTION 2.10.  Cancellation.

               The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange, redemption or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel and destroy, or retain in accordance with its standard retention policy, all Securities surrendered for registration or transfer, exchange, redemption, paying or cancella-

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tion. Unless the Authorizing Resolution so provides, the Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has previously paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

SECTION 2.11.  Defaulted Interest.

               If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities, it shall pay the defaulted interest plus any interest payable on the defaulted interest to the persons who are Securityholders on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix such special record date and a payment date which shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee. At least 15 days before such special record date, the Company shall mail to each Securityholder a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid. On or before the date such notice is mailed, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the amount of defaulted interest to be so paid. The Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

SECTION 2.12.  Treasury Securities.

               In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any direction, waiver, consent or notice, Securities owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall be considered as though they are not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities which the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so considered.

SECTION 2.13.  CUSIP Numbers.

               The Company in issuing the Securities of any Series may use a “CUSIP” number, and if so, the Trustee shall use the CUSIP number in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders of such Securities; provided that no representation is hereby deemed to be made by the Trustee as to the correctness or accuracy of any such CUSIP number printed in the notice or on such Securities, and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on such Securities. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any change in any CUSIP number.

SECTION 2.14.  Deposit of Moneys.

               Prior to 11:00 a.m. New York City time on each interest payment date and maturity date with respect to each Series of Securities, the Company shall have deposited with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds money sufficient to make cash payments due on such interest payment date or maturity date, as the case may be, in a timely manner which

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permits the Paying Agent to remit payment to the Holders on such interest payment date or maturity date, as the case may be.

SECTION 2.15.  Book-Entry Provisions for Global Security.

               (a) Any global Security of a Series initially shall (i) be registered in the name of the depository who shall be identified in the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture relating to such Securities (the “Depository”) or the nominee of such Depository, (ii) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for such Depository and (iii) bear any required legends.

               Members of, or participants in, the Depository (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any global Security held on their behalf by the Depository, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the global Security, and the Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of the global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Security.

               (b) Transfers of any global Security shall be limited to transfers in whole, but not in part, to the Depository, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in the global Security may be transferred or exchanged for definitive Securities in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depository. In addition, definitive Securities shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in a global Security if (i) the Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for the global Security and a successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice or (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from the Depository to issue definitive Securities.

               (c) In connection with any transfer or exchange of a portion of the beneficial interest in any global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b), the Registrar shall (if one or more definitive Securities are to be issued) reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the global Security in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the global Security to be transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, one or more definitive Securities of like tenor and amount.

               (d) In connection with the transfer of an entire global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b), the global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the

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Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depository in exchange for its beneficial interest in the global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of authorized denominations.

               (e) The Holder of any global Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any person, including Agent Members and persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities of such Series.

ARTICLE THREE

REDEMPTION

SECTION 3.01.  Notices to Trustee.

               Securities of a Series that are redeemable prior to maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and, unless the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture provides otherwise, in accordance with this Article.

               If the Company wants to redeem Securities pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Securities, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the redemption date and the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed. Any such notice may be canceled at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed to Holders. Any such canceled notice shall be void and of no effect.

               If the Company wants to credit any Securities previously redeemed, retired or acquired against any redemption pursuant to Paragraph 6 of the Securities, it shall notify the Trustee of the amount of the credit and it shall deliver any Securities not previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation with such notice.

               The Company shall give each notice provided for in this Section 3.01 at least 30 days before the notice of any such redemption is to be mailed to Holders (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee).

SECTION 3.02.  Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.

               If fewer than all of the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed by a method the Trustee considers fair and appropriate. The Trustee shall make the selection from Securities outstanding not previously called for redemption and shall promptly notify the Company of the serial numbers or other identify-

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ing attributes of the Securities so selected. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Securities that have denominations larger than the minimum denomination for the Series. Securities and portions of them it selects shall be in amounts equal to the minimum denomination for the Series or an integral multiple thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities called for redemption.

SECTION 3.03.  Notice of Redemption.

               At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed.

               The notice shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:

     (1) the redemption date;

     (2) the redemption price;

     (3) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

     (4) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

     (5) that interest on Securities called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date; and

     (6) that the Securities are being redeemed pursuant to the mandatory redemption or the optional redemption provisions, as applicable.

               At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company shall deliver to the Trustee at least 15 days prior to the date on which notice of redemption is to be mailed or such shorter period as may be satisfactory to the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

SECTION 3.04.  Effect of Notice of Redemption.

               Once notice of redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price as set forth in the notice of redemption. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price, plus accrued interest to the redemption date.

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SECTION 3.05.  Deposit of Redemption Price.

               On or before the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent immediately available funds sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.

SECTION 3.06.  Securities Redeemed in Part.

               Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for each Holder a new Security equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.

ARTICLE FOUR

COVENANTS

SECTION 4.01.  Payment of Securities.

               The Company shall pay the principal of and interest on a Series on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities of the Series. An installment of principal or interest shall be considered paid on the date it is due, if on that date the Paying Agent holds money designated for and sufficient to pay the installment.

               The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Series; it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate.

SECTION 4.02.  Maintenance of Office or Agency.

               The Company shall maintain the office or agency required under Section 2.03. The Company shall give prior written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the address of the Trustee.

SECTION 4.03.  Compliance Certificate.

               The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of its fiscal year an Officers’ Certificate complying with Section 314(a)(4) of the TIA and stating that a review of its activities and the activities of its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing persons with a view to determining

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whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture and further stating, as to each such person signing such certificate, whether or not the signer knows of any failure by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company to comply with any conditions or covenants in this Indenture and, if such signer does know of such a failure to comply, the certificate shall describe such failure with particularity. The Officers’ Certificate shall also notify the Trustee should the relevant fiscal year end on any date other than the current fiscal year end date.

SECTION 4.04.  Payment of Taxes; Maintenance of Corporate Existence; Maintenance of Properties.

               The Company will:

     (a) cause to be paid and discharged all lawful taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries or upon the income or profits of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries or upon property or any part thereof belonging to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries before the same shall be in default, as well as all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might become a lien or charge upon such property or any part thereof; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim so long as the validity or amount thereof shall be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and the nonpayment thereof does not, in the judgment of the Company, materially adversely affect the ability of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries to pay all obligations under this Indenture when due; and provided further, that the Company shall not be required to cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim if, in the judgment of the Company, such payment shall not be advantageous to the Company in the conduct of its business and if the failure so to pay or discharge does not, in its judgment, materially adversely affect the ability of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries to pay all obligations under this Indenture when due;

     (b) cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect the corporate existence of the Company and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that nothing in this subsection (b) shall prevent a consolidation or merger of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary not prohibited by the provisions of Article Five or any other provision or the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture pertaining to a Series, and the Company need not maintain the corporate existence of an immaterial Restricted Subsidiary; and

     (c) at all times keep, maintain and preserve the property of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries in good repair, working order and condition (reasonable wear and tear excepted) and from time to time make all needful and proper repairs, re-

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newals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereto, so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this subsection (c) shall prevent the Company from discontinuing the operation and maintenance of any such properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of its business and not disadvantageous in any material respect to the ability of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries to pay all obligations under this Indenture when due.

ARTICLE FIVE

SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

SECTION 5.01.  When Company May Merge, etc.

               The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, any other corporation, or transfer all or substantially all of its assets to, any entity unless permitted by law and unless (1) the resulting, surviving or transferee entity, which shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States or a State thereof, assumes by supplemental indenture, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture and (2) immediately after giving effect to, and as a result of, such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Thereafter such successor corporation or corporations shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the “Company” and all such obligations of the predecessor corporation shall terminate.

               The Company shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction an Officers’ Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and such supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture.

               To the extent that an Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture pertaining to any Series provides for different provisions relating to the subject matter of this Article Five, the provisions in such Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture shall govern for purposes of such Series.

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ARTICLE SIX

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

SECTION 6.01.  Events of Default.

               An “Event of Default” on a Series occurs if, voluntarily or involuntarily, whether by operation of law or otherwise, any one of the following events:

     (1) default in the payment of interest on any Security of such Series when the same becomes due and payable and the continuance of any such failure for a period of 30 days;

     (2) default in the payment of all or any part of the principal or premium, if any, of any Security of such Series when and as the same becomes due and payable at maturity, at redemption, by declaration of acceleration or otherwise;

     (3) default in the observance or performance of, or breach of, any covenant or agreement or warranty of the Company contained in its agreements or covenants in, or provisions of the Securities of such Series, or this Indenture (unless specifically dealt with elsewhere), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee, or to the Company and the Trustee by Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities, a written notice specifying such default or breach, requiring it to be remedies and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder;

     (4) a decree, judgment or order by a court of competent jurisdiction shall have been entered adjudging the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries as bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition in an involuntary case or proceeding seeking reorganization of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries under any bankruptcy or similar law, or a decree, judgment or order of a court of competent jurisdiction directing the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, trustee, or assignee in bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company, any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or of the assets or property of any such Person, or the winding up or liquidation of the affairs of any such Person, shall have been entered, and the continuance of any such decree, judgment or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days;

     (5) the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries shall institute proceedings to be adjudicated a voluntary bankrupt (including conversion of an involun-

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tary proceeding into a voluntary proceeding), or shall consent to the filing of a bankruptcy proceeding against it, or shall file a petition or answer or consent to the filing of any such petition, or shall consent to the appointment of a Custodian, receiver, liquidator, trustee, or assignee in bankruptcy or insolvency of it or any of its assets or property, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or shall, within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law, become insolvent, or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

     (6) (i) the acceleration of any Indebtedness (other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness) of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (in accordance with the terms of such Indebtedness and after giving effect to any applicable grace period set forth in the documents governing such Indebtedness) that has an outstanding principal amount of $25,000,000 or more individually or $40,000,000 or more in the aggregate to be immediately due and payable; provided that, in the event any such acceleration is withdrawn or otherwise rescinded (including satisfaction of such Indebtedness) within a period of ten business days after such acceleration by the holders of such Indebtedness, any Event of Default under this clause (6) will be deemed to be cured and any acceleration hereunder will be deemed withdrawn or rescinded; or (ii) the failure by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries to make any principal, premium, interest or other required payment in respect of Indebtedness (other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness) of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries with an outstanding aggregate principal amount of $25,000,000 or more individually or $40,000,000 or more in the aggregate (after giving effect to any applicable grace period set forth in the documents governing such Indebtedness);

     (7) one or more final nonappealable judgments (in the amount not covered by insurance or not reserved for) or the issuance of any warrant of attachment against any portion of the property or assets (except with respect to Non-Recourse Indebtedness) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, which are $25,000,000 or more individually or $40,000,000 or more in the aggregate, at any one time rendered against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by a court of competent jurisdiction and not bonded, satisfied or discharged for a period (during which execution shall not be effectively stayed) of (i) 60 days after the judgment becomes final and such court shall not have ordered or approved, and the parties shall not have agreed upon, the payment of such judgment at a later date or dates or (ii) 60 days after all or any part of such judgment is payable pursuant to any court order or agreement between the parties; and

     (8) the Guarantee of any Guarantor shall fail to remain in full force and effect except in accordance with this Indenture or any action shall be taken by any Guar-

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antor to discontinue or to assert the invalidity or unenforceability of its Guarantee, or any Guarantor shall fail to comply with any of the terms or provisions of its Guarantee, or any Guarantor denies that it has any further liability under its Guarantee or gives notice to such effect.

               The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

SECTION 6.02.  Acceleration.

               If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default with respect to the Company resulting from sub-clauses (4) or (5) above), shall have occurred and be continuing under the Indenture, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25 percent in principal amount of the Securities of the applicable Series then outstanding by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare all Securities of such Series to be due and payable immediately. Upon such declaration of acceleration, the amounts due and payable on the Securities of such Series will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default with respect to the Company specified in sub-clauses (4) or (5) above occurs, all amounts due and payable on the Securities of such Series will ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration, notice or other act on the part of the Trustee and the Company or any Holder. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such Series then outstanding by written notice to the Trustee and the Company may waive any Default or Event of Default (other than any Default or Event of Default in payment of principal or interest) with respect to such Series of Securities under the Indenture. Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such Series may rescind an acceleration with respect to such Series and its consequence (except an acceleration due to nonpayment of principal or interest on the Securities of such Series) if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived.

               No such rescission shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent Event of Default, or shall impair any right or power consequent thereon.

SECTION 6.03.  Other Remedies.

               If an Event of Default on a Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of or interest on the Series or to enforce the performance of any provision in the Securities or this Indenture applicable to the Series.

               The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the

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Trustee or any Securityholder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.

SECTION 6.04.  Waiver of Existing Defaults.

               Subject to Section 9.02, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of a Series on behalf of all the Holders of the Series by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default on such Series and its consequences. When a Default is waived, it is cured and stops continuing, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 6.05.  Control by Majority.

               The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of a Series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it with respect to such Series. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction (i) that conflicts with law or this Indenture, (ii) that, subject to Section 7.01, the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Securityholders, or (iii) that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

SECTION 6.06.  Limitation on Suits.

               A Securityholder of a Series may not pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Series unless:

     (1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default on the Series;

     (2) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of the Series make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

     (3) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

     (4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and

     (5) no written request inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 6.06.

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               A Securityholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Securityholder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Securityholder.

SECTION 6.07.  Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.

               Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on the Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, is absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

SECTION 6.08.  Collection Suit by Trustee.

               If an Event of Default in payment of interest or principal specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal and interest remaining unpaid.

SECTION 6.09.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

               The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements, and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Securityholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its creditors or its property, and unless prohibited by applicable law or regulation, may vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a Custodian, and shall be entitled and empowered to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Securityholder to make such payments to the Trustee. Nothing herein shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or vote for or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder except as aforesaid for the election of the Custodian.

SECTION 6.10.  Priorities.

               If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

     
First:
  to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

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Second:
  to Securityholders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities for principal and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and
 
   
Third:
  to the Company as its interests may appear.

               The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Securityholders pursuant to this Section 6.10.

SECTION 6.11.  Undertaking for Costs.

               In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having the due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Series.

ARTICLE SEVEN

TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.01.  Duties of Trustee.

               (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall, prior to the receipt of directions from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities, exercise its rights and powers and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

               (b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

     (1) The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.

     (2) In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed

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therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of his Indenture. The Trustee, however, shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts or matters stated herein.

               (c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

     (1) This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section.

     (2) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

     (3) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 or any other direction of the Holders permitted hereunder.

               (d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.

               (e) The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

               (f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

               (g) None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such liability is not reasonably assured to it.

SECTION 7.02.  Rights of Trustee.

               Subject to Section 7.01:

               (a) The Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting on any document, resolution, certificate, instrument, report, or direction believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person.

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The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document, resolution, certificate, instrument, report, or direction.

     (b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both, which shall conform to Sections 10.04 and 10.05 hereof and containing such other statements as the Trustee reasonably deems necessary to perform its duties hereunder. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the Officers’ Certificate, Opinion of Counsel or any other direction of the Company permitted hereunder.

     (c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

     (d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

     (e) The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel as to matters of law shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

     (f) Unless otherwise specifically provided in the Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

     (g) For all purposes under this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or knowledge of any Event of Default (other than under Section 6.01(1) or 6.01(2)) unless a Trust Officer assigned to and working in the Trustee’s corporate trust office has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any Event of Default is received by the Trustee at its address specified in Section 10.02 hereof and such notice references the Securities generally, the Company or this Indenture.

SECTION 7.03.  Individual Rights of Trustee.

               The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee, however, must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

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SECTION 7.04.  Trustee’s Disclaimer.

               The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, the Securities or of any prospectus used to sell the Securities; it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities; it shall not be accountable for any money paid to the Company, or upon the Company’s direction, if made under and in accordance with any provision of this Indenture; it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee; and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Indenture or in the Securities other than its certificate of authentication.

SECTION 7.05.  Notice of Defaults.

               If a Default on a Series occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the Series notice of the Default (which shall specify any uncured Default known to it) within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a default in payment of principal of or interest on a Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the board of directors of the Trustee, the executive or any trust committee of such directors and/or responsible officers of the Trustee in good faith determine(s) that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders of the Series.

SECTION 7.06.  Reports by Trustee to Holders.

               Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder a brief report dated as of such May 15 that complies with TIA Sections 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA Sections 313(2) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Sections 313(b).

               A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders shall be delivered to the Company and filed by the Trustee with the SEC and each national securities exchange on which the Securities are listed. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee of each national securities exchange on which the Securities are listed.

SECTION 7.07.  Compensation and Indemnity.

               The Company shall pay to the Trustee or predecessor trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for their respective services subject to any written agreement between the Trustee and the Company. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel. The Company shall indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor trustee, its officers, directors, employees and

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agents and hold it harmless against any loss, liability or expense incurred or made by or on behalf of it in connection with the administration of this Indenture or the trust hereunder and its duties hereunder including the costs and expenses of defending itself against or investigating any claim in the premises. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s, or its officers’, directors’, employees’ or agents’ negligence or bad faith.

               To ensure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a claim prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of or interest on particular Securities.

               When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01 or in connection with Article 6 hereof, the expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for services in connection therewith are to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law.

SECTION 7.08.  Replacement of Trustee.

               The Trustee may resign by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities may remove the Trustee by so notifying the removed Trustee in writing and may appoint a successor trustee with the Company’s consent. Such resignation or removal shall not take effect until the appointment by the Securityholders or the Company as hereinafter provided of a successor trustee and the acceptance of such appointment by such successor trustee. The Company may remove the Trustee and any Securityholder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee for any or no reason, including if:

     (1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 after written request by the Company or any bona fide Securityholder who has been a Securityholder for at least six months;

     (2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent;

     (3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

     (4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

               If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee. If a successor

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trustee does not take office within 45 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or any Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee.

               A successor trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor trustee, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. A successor trustee shall mail notice of its succession to each Securityholder.

SECTION 7.09.  Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

               If the Trustee consolidates with, merges with or into or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor trustee.

SECTION 7.10.  Eligibility; Disqualification.

               This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Sections 310(a)(1). The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $10,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA Sections 310(b).

SECTION 7.11.  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

               The Trustee shall comply with TIA Sections 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Sections 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Sections 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

ARTICLE EIGHT

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

SECTION 8.01.  Defeasance Upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government Obligations.

               (a) The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) below be applied to the outstanding Securities of any Series upon compliance with the applicable conditions set forth in paragraph (d).

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               (b) Upon the Company’s exercise under paragraph (a) of the option applicable to this paragraph (b), the Company shall be deemed to have been released and discharged from its respective obligations with respect to the outstanding Securities of a Series on the date the applicable conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Securities of a Series, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of the Sections and matters under this Indenture referred to in (i) and (ii) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned, except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (i) the rights of Holders of outstanding Securities of a Series to receive solely from the trust fund described in paragraph (d) below and as more fully set forth in such paragraph, payments in respect of the principal of and interest on such Securities when such payments are due and (ii) obligations listed in Section 8.02, subject to compliance with this Section 8.01. The Company may exercise its option under this paragraph (b) notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under paragraph (c) below with respect to such Securities.

               (c) Upon the Company’s exercise under paragraph (a) of the option applicable to this paragraph (c), the Company shall be released and discharged from the obligations under any covenant contained in Article Four and any other covenant contained in the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture relating to such Series to the extent provided for therein, on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Securities of such Series shall thereafter be deemed to be not “outstanding” for the purpose of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Securities of a Series, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01(3), but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.

               (d) The following shall be the conditions to application of either paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) above to the outstanding Securities of the applicable Series:

            (1) The Company shall have irrevocably deposited in trust with the Trustee, pursuant to an irrevocable trust and security agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, money in U.S. dollars or U.S. government obligations or a combination thereof in such amounts and at such times as are sufficient, in

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the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series to maturity or redemption; provided, however, that the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) shall have received an irrevocable written order from the Company instructing the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to apply such money or the proceeds of such U.S. government obligations to said payments with respect to the Securities of such Series to maturity or redemption;

     (2) No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

     (3) Such deposit will not result in a Default under this Indenture or a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other material instrument or agreement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of their property is bound;

     (4) (i) In the event the Company elects paragraph (b) hereof, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to the effect that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the Issue Date pertaining to such Series, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall state that, or (ii) in the event the Company elects paragraph (c) hereof, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to the effect that, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and the defeasance contemplated hereby and will be subject to federal income tax in the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred;

     (5) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate, stating that the deposit under clause (1) was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company or others;

     (6) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to the effect that, (A) the trust funds will not be subject to the rights of Holders of Indebtedness of the Company other than the Securities of such Series and (B) assuming no intervening bankruptcy of the Company between the date of deposit and the 91st day following the deposit and that no Holder

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of Securities of such Series is an insider of the Company, after the 91st day following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar law affecting creditors’ rights generally; and

     (7) The Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent specified herein relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section 8.01 have been complied with.

               In the event all or any portion of the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed through such irrevocable trust, the Company must make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, at the time of such deposit, for the giving of the notice of such redemption or redemptions by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

               (e) In addition to the Company’s rights above under this Section 8.01, the Company may terminate all of its obligations under this Indenture with respect to a Series when:

     (1) All Securities of such Series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.07 and Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for that purpose an amount of money sufficient to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of and interest;

     (2) The Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company;

     (3) The Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Securities at maturity or redemption, as the case may be; and

     (4) The Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, stating that all conditions precedent specified herein relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

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SECTION 8.02.  Survival of the Company’s Obligations.

               Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture under Section 8.01, the Company’s obligations in paragraph 9 of the Securities and Sections 2.03 through 2.07, 4.01, 7.07, 7.08, 8.04 and 8.05, however, shall survive until the Securities of an applicable Series are no longer outstanding. Thereafter, the Company’s obligations in paragraph 9 of the Securities of such Series and Sections 7.07, 8.04 and 8.05 shall survive (as they relate to such Series).

SECTION 8.03.  Application of Trust Money.

               The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. government obligations deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. government obligations in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities of the defeased Series.

SECTION 8.04.  Repayment to the Company.

               The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company upon request any excess money or securities held by them at any time. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of New York or mail to each such Holder notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication or mailing, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company. After payment to the Company, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless applicable abandoned property law designates another person and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such money shall cease.

SECTION 8.05.  Reinstatement.

               If the Trustee is unable to apply any money or U.S. government obligations in accordance with Section 8.01 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities relating to the Series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01 until such time as the Trustee is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. government obligations in accordance with Section 8.01; provided, however, that (a) if the Company has made any payment of interest on or principal of any Securities of the Series because

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of the reinstatement of their obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or U.S. government obligations held by the Trustee and (b) unless otherwise required by any legal proceeding or any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority, the Trustee shall return all such money or U.S. government obligations to the Company promptly after receiving a written request therefor at any time, if such reinstatement of the Company’s obligations has occurred and continues to be in effect.

ARTICLE NINE

AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

SECTION 9.01.  Without Consent of Holders.

               The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of a Series without notice to or consent of any Securityholder of such Series:

     (1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

     (2) to comply with Article Five;

     (3) to provide that specific provisions of this Indenture shall not apply to a Series not previously issued;

     (4) to create a Series and establish its terms;

     (5) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities; and

     (6) to make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of Securityholders.

               After an amendment under this Section 9.01 becomes effective, the Company shall mail notice of such amendment to the Securityholders.

SECTION 9.02.  With Consent of Holders.

               The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of a Series without notice to any Securityholder of such Series but with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each such Series affected by the amendment. Each such Series shall vote as a separate

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class. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of the Securities of such Series or of this Indenture relating to such Series without notice to any Securityholder. Without the consent of each Securityholder of a Series affected, however, an amendment, supplement or waiver, including a waiver pursuant to Section 6.04, may not:

     (1) reduce the amount of Securities of such Series whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

     (2) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including defaulted interest, on any Security;

     (3) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Security or alter the provisions (including related definitions) with respect to redemption of Securities pursuant to Article Three hereof or with respect to any obligations on the part of the Company to offer to purchase or to redeem Securities of a Series pursuant to the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture pertaining to such Series;

     (4) modify the ranking or priority of the Securities of any Series;

     (5) make any change in Sections 6.04, 6.07 or this Section 9.02;

     (6) waive a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security; or

     (7) make any Security payable at a place or in money other than that stated in the Security, or impair the right of any Securityholder to bring suit as permitted by Section 6.07.

               An amendment of a provision included solely for the benefit of one or more Series does not affect the interests of Securityholders of any other Series.

               It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplement, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

SECTION 9.03.  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

               Every amendment to or supplement of this Indenture or the Securities shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

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SECTION 9.04.  Revocation and Effect of Consents.

               A consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver by a Holder shall bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. Subject to the following paragraph, any such Holder or subsequent Holder, however, may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security. Such revocation shall be effective only if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective.

               The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Securities of any Series entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver, which record date shall be at least 10 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the last sentence of the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date.

               After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder, unless it makes a change described in any of clauses (1) through (7) of Section 9.02, in which case, the amendment, supplement or waiver shall bind only each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security; provided, that any such waiver shall not impair or affect the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on a Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates without the consent of such Holder.

SECTION 9.05.  Notation on or Exchange of Securities.

               If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Security, the Company may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee, at which time the Trustee shall place an appropriate notation on the Security about the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms.

SECTION 9.06.  Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

               Subject to Section 7.02(b), the Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not

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adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing or refusing to sign such amendment or supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that such amendment or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, that it is not inconsistent herewith, and that it will be valid and binding upon the Company in accordance with its terms.

ARTICLE TEN

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 10.01.  Trust Indenture Act Controls.

               If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, the required provision shall control.

SECTION 10.02.  Notices.

               Any order, consent, notice or communication shall be sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

     
  if to the Company:
 
   
  M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.
  3600 South Yosemite
  Suite 900
  Denver, CO 80237
  Telecopy No.: (303) 793-2760
  Attention: Chief Financial Officer
 
   
  if to the Trustee:
 
   
  U.S. Bank National Association
  180 East Fifth Street
  St. Paul, MN 55101
  Telecopy No.: (651) 244-0711 or 12
  Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

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               The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

               Any notice or communication mailed to a Securityholder shall be mailed to him by first class mail at his address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given to him if so mailed within the time prescribed.

               Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it except that notice to the Trustee shall only be effective upon receipt thereof by the Trustee.

               If the Company mails notice or communications to the Securityholders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee at the same time.

SECTION 10.03.  Communications by Holders with Other Holders.

     Securityholders may communicate pursuant to TIA Sections 312(b) with other Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Sections 312(c).

SECTION 10.04.  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

               Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

     (1) an Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 10.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

     (2) an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 10.05) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants, compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action or inaction, have been complied with and that any such section does not conflict with the terms of the Indenture.

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SECTION 10.05.  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

               Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

     (1) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

     (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

     (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

     (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 10.06.  Rules by Trustee and Agents.

               The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Securityholders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for its functions.

SECTION 10.07.  Legal Holidays.

               A “Legal Holiday” is a Saturday, a Sunday, a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions in Denver, Colorado and New York, New York are not required to be open. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. A “Business Day” is any day other than a Legal Holiday.

SECTION 10.08.  Governing Law.

               The laws of the State of New York shall govern this Indenture and the Securities of each Series.

SECTION 10.09.  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

               This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

-39-


 

SECTION 10.10.  No Recourse Against Others.

               All liability described in paragraph 12 of the Securities of any director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company is waived and released.

SECTION 10.11.  Successors and Assigns.

               All covenants and agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors and assigns. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns.

SECTION 10.12.  Duplicate Originals.

               The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

SECTION 10.13.  Severability.

               In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in the Securities of a Series shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of such Securities.

[Signature Page Follows]

-40-


 

SIGNATURES

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.

             
Dated: December 3, 2002   M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
 
           
    By:   /s/ Michael Touff
       
 
      Name:   Michael Touff
      Title:   Senior Vice President

S-1


 

             
Dated: December 3, 2002   U.S. Bank National Association,
       as Trustee
 
           
    By:       /s/ Richard H. Prokosch
       
 
      Name:   Richard H. Prokosch
      Title:   Vice President

(SEAL)

S-2


 

Exhibit A

     
No.
  CUSIP No.:

[Title of Security]

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation promises to pay to           or registered assigns the principal sum of                      [Dollars] on                      .

[Title of Security]

    Interest Payment Dates:            and
 
    Record Dates            and
 
    Authenticated:            Dated:

         
    M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
 
       
  By:    
     
 
      Name:
      Title:
  By:    
     
 
      Name
      Title:
 
       
U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Securities referred to in the within mentioned Indenture.
       
     
By:
   
 
 
  Name:
  Title: Authorized Signatory

A-1


 

     
  M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
  [Title of Security]

A-2


 

1.   Interest.

               M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above. The Company will pay interest semiannually on [       ] and [       ] of each year until the principal is paid or made available for payment. Interest on the Securities will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid, from [   ]; provided that, if there is no existing default in the payment of interest, and if this Security is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding interest payment date, interest shall accrue from such interest payment date. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. [Provisions as to the right of the Company to defer interest, if any, may be set forth here. ]

2.   Method of Payment.

               The Company will pay interest on the Securities (except defaulted interest, if any, which will be paid on such special payment date to Holders of record on such special record date as may be fixed by the Company) to the persons who are registered Holders of Securities at the close of business on the [Insert record dates]. Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company will pay principal and interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

3.   Paying Agent and Registrar.

               Initially, U.S. Bank National Association (the “Trustee”) will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change or appoint any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar without notice. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar.

4.   Indenture.

               The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of December 3, 2002 (“Indenture”) among the Company and the Trustee. The terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture (including those terms set forth in the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture pertaining to the Securities of the Series of which this Security is a part) and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (“TIA”) as in effect on the date of the Indenture. The Securities are subject to all such terms, and Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and the Act for a statement of them.

               The Company will furnish to any Securityholder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and the applicable Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture. Requests may be made to: M.D.C. Holdings, Inc., 3600 South Yosemite, Suite 900, Denver, Colorado 80237, Attention: Secretary.

A-3


 

5.   Optional Redemption.

               The Company may redeem the Securities at any time on or after [       ], in whole or in part, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of their principal amount), set forth below, plus together with interest accrued and unpaid thereon to the date fixed for redemption:

               If redeemed during the twelve-month period commencing on [       ] and ending on [       ] in each of the following years:

         
    REDEMPTION
YEAR   PRICE
[       ]
    [       ] %
[       ]
    [       ] %
[       ]
    [       ] %
[       ] and thereafter
    100.000 %

               Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at his registered address. Securities in denominations larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Securities or portions of them called for redemption; provided, that if the Company shall default in the payment of such Security at the redemption price together with accrued interest, interest shall continue to accrue at the rate borne by the Securities.

[Insert provisions relating to redemption at option of Holders, if any]

6.   Denominations, Transfer, Exchange.

               The Securities are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. A Holder may transfer or exchange Securities by presentation of such Securities to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a request to register the transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of other denominations. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not transfer or exchange any Security selected for redemption, except the unredeemed part thereof if the Security is redeemed in part, or transfer or exchange any Securities for a period of 15 days before a selection of Securities to be redeemed.

7.   Persons Deemed Owners.

               The registered Holder of this Security shall be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

A-4


 

8.   Unclaimed Money.

               If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent will pay the money back to the Company at its request. After that, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment unless an abandoned property law designates another person.

9.   Amendment, Supplement, Waiver.

               Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Securities may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each Series affected by the amendment and any past default or compliance with any provision relating to any Series of the Securities may be waived in a particular instance with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series. Without the consent of any Securityholder, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Securities to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities, to create a Series and establish its terms, or to make any other change, provided such action does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder.

10.   Successor Corporation.

               When a successor corporation assumes all the obligations of its predecessor under the Securities and the Indenture, the predecessor corporation will be released from those obligations.

11.   Trustee Dealings With Company.

               U.S. Bank National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not Trustee.

12.   No Recourse Against Others.

               A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

13.   Discharge of Indenture.

               The Indenture contains certain provisions pertaining to defeasance, which provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth herein.

A-5


 

14.   Authentication.

               This Security shall not be valid until the Trustee signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Security.

15.   Abbreviations.

               Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Securityholder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

A-6


 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

               If you, the Holder, want to assign this Security, fill in the form below:

               I or we assign and transfer this Security to:



(Insert assignee’s social security or tax ID number)




(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint:


agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.


             
Date:
      Your signature:    
 
 
     
 
          (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security)

Signature
Guarantee: 


A-7

 

EXHIBIT 5.1

[FORM OF OPINION OF HOLME ROBERTS & OWEN LLP]

September       , 2004

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.
3600 S. Yosemite Street, Suite 900
Denver, CO 80237

Re:     M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. Form S-3 Registration Statement

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to M.D.C. Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended, the “Act”) on July 12, 2004 (File No. 333-117319). The Registration Statement covers the offering and issuance from time to time by the Company of up to $1,000,000,000 aggregate offering price of the following: (i) one or more series of its debt securities which may take the form of Senior Notes, Senior Subordinated Notes or Junior Subordinated Notes (collectively, the “Debt Securities”), which may be guaranteed (the “Guarantees”) by some or all of the co-registrants named in the Registration Statement (each co-registrant that guarantees Debt Securities, a “Guarantor” and collectively the “Guarantors”); (ii) shares of its Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”); or (iii) shares of its Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Common Stock”).

     All capitalized terms that are not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Registration Statement.

     In connection with the Company’s preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, we have examined originals or copies of all documents, corporate records or other writings that we consider relevant for the purposes of this opinion. In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures on all original documents, the legal competency of each individual executing any such documents, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as photocopies of originals. As to matters of fact not directly

 


 

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.
September       , 2004
Page 2

within our actual knowledge, we have relied upon certificates, telegrams and other documents from public officials in certain jurisdictions.

     In connection with this opinion, we have examined the following documents:

     (1) The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended to date (the “Certificate”);

     (2) The Bylaws of the Company, as amended to date (the “Bylaws”);

     (3) The Form of Senior Indenture (and form of Senior Notes to be issued thereunder) incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement;

     (4) The Form of Senior Subordinated Indenture (and form of Senior Subordinated Notes to be issued thereunder) incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement;

     (5) The Form of Junior Subordinated Indenture (and form of Junior Subordinated Notes to be issued thereunder) incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement;

     (6) The form of Guarantee to be entered into by the Guarantors, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A;

     (7) Resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof (the “Board”) of the Company relating to the Registration Statement, certified as of a recent date by an officer of the Company (the “Resolutions”);

     (8) The Certificate or Articles of Incorporation, Certificate or Articles of Organization, Bylaws, Operating Agreements and Partnership Agreements, as applicable, of the Guarantors, as set forth on Exhibit B hereto (the “Guarantor Documents”);

 


 

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.
September       , 2004
Page 3

     (9) Such other records of the corporate proceedings of the Company and Guarantors that we considered necessary or appropriate for the purpose of rendering this opinion;

     (10) Such other certificates and assurances from public officials, officers and representatives of the Company that we considered necessary or appropriate for the purpose of rendering this opinion; and

     (11) Such other documents that we considered necessary or appropriate for the purpose of rendering this opinion.

     On the basis of the foregoing examination, our reliance thereon, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that (subject to compliance with the pertinent provisions of the Act and, with respect to the Indentures (as defined below) and the Debt Securities, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and to compliance with such securities or “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction as may be applicable, as to which we express no opinion):

     1. Each series of the Debt Securities in substantially the form contained in (as appropriate) the Form of Senior Indenture, the Form of Senior Subordinated Indenture or the Form of Junior Subordinated Indenture, respectively (each an “Indenture”) will be duly authorized and valid and binding obligations of the Company and, if guaranteed by the Guarantors, the Guarantees will be duly authorized and valid and binding obligations of the Guarantors, subject to the effect of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, arrangement, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally (including, without limitation, the effect of statutory or other laws regarding fraudulent transfers or preferential transfers) and general principles of equity, regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law, if and when: (i) the Registration Statement, as amended (including any necessary post-effective amendments) shall have become effective under the Act and provided that no stop order shall have been issued by the SEC relating thereto; (ii) a prospectus supplement with respect to such series of Debt Securities shall have been filed with the SEC in compliance

 


 

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.
September       , 2004
Page 4

with the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) the Board of the Company shall have duly adopted final resolutions authorizing the issuance and sale of such series of Debt Securities as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Indenture and, if the Debt Securities are guaranteed by the Guarantors, the boards of directors or other governing bodies of each of the Guarantors (the “Guarantor Boards”) shall have duly adopted final resolutions authorizing the Guarantee to be entered into in connection with such series of Debt Securities; (iv) such series of Debt Securities shall have been duly created by an Authorizing Resolution (as defined in the applicable Indenture) or a duly executed and delivered supplemental indenture, pursuant to the applicable Indenture; (v) the Indenture relating to such series of Debt Securities shall have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and shall have been duly executed and delivered pursuant to the terms of such Indenture and, if the Debt Securities are guaranteed by the Guarantors, the Guarantee shall have been duly executed and delivered by each of the Guarantors; and (vi) such Debt Securities shall have been duly executed, authenticated and issued as provided in the applicable Indenture and shall have been duly delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.

     2. The Preferred Stock shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable if and when (i) the Registration Statement, as amended (including any necessary post-effective amendments) shall have become effective under the Act and provided that no stop order shall have been issued by the SEC relating thereto; (ii) a prospectus supplement with respect to the Preferred Stock shall have been filed with the SEC in compliance with the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) the Board of the Company shall have duly adopted final resolutions authorizing the issuance and sale of the Preferred Stock as contemplated by the Registration Statement; (iv) the Preferred Stock shall have been issued as provided in such resolutions of the Board; and (v) certificates representing the Preferred Stock shall have been duly executed and delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor as described in the Registration Statement and in accordance with the terms of the any applicable purchase or underwriting agreement, if any.

 


 

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.
September       , 2004
Page 5

     3. The Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable if and when (i) the Registration Statement, as amended (including any necessary post-effective amendments) shall have become effective under the Act and provided that no stop order shall have been issued by the SEC relating thereto; (ii) a prospectus supplement with respect to the Common Stock shall have been filed with the SEC in compliance with the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) the Board of the Company shall have duly adopted final resolutions authorizing the issuance and sale of the Common Stock as contemplated by the Registration Statement; (iv) the Common Stock shall have been issued as provided in such resolutions of the Board; and (v) certificates representing the Common Stock shall have been duly executed and delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor as described in the Registration Statement and in accordance with the terms of the any applicable purchase or underwriting agreement, if any.

     For purposes of this letter, we have assumed that, at the time of issuance, sale and delivery of each series of Debt Securities, the Preferred Stock and the Common Stock, as the case may be: (a) the authorization thereof by the Board of the Company and, if the Debt Securities are guaranteed by the Guarantors, the authorization of the Guarantees by the Guarantor Boards shall not have been modified or rescinded; (b) no change in law affecting the validity, legally binding character or enforceability of the authorization by the Board of the Company and, if the Debt Securities are guaranteed by the Guarantors, the Guarantor Boards shall have occurred; (c) in the case of each series of the Debt Securities, the form of the applicable Indenture (including, without limitation, the form of the Debt Securities to be issued thereunder) and, if the Debt Securities are guaranteed by the Guarantors, the form of the applicable Guarantee shall not have been modified; (d) in the case of each series of Debt Securities, the Debt Securities have been issued in accordance with the applicable Indenture which constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the parties thereto (other than the Company); (e) upon the issuance of the Debt Securities, the amount of Debt Securities outstanding does not exceed the amount authorized by the Board and, if the Debt Securities are guaranteed by the Guarantors, the amount of Debt Securities guaranteed by the

 


 

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.
September       , 2004
Page 6

Guarantors does not exceed the amount authorized to be guaranteed by the Guarantor Boards; (f) upon issuance of the Preferred Stock, the total number of shares of Preferred Stock issued and outstanding will not exceed the number of shares of Preferred Stock that the Company is then authorized to issue; (g) upon issuance of the Common Stock, the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding will not exceed the number of shares of Common Stock that the Company is then authorized to issue; (h) the Certificate of the Company and the Guarantor Documents shall not have been modified or amended in any respect that would affect this opinion and will be in full force and effect; (i) the authorizations by the Board of the Company will be made in accordance with the Certificate, the Bylaws, the Resolutions and the DGCL; and (j) the authorizations by each respective Guarantor Board will be made in accordance with the applicable Guarantor Documents and the applicable law of the jurisdiction of its respective incorporation or organization.

     The opinions expressed herein are limited to the laws of the States of Colorado and New York (as such opinions relate to the Guarantee and the Debt Securities only), and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (including the statutory provisions and all applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and reported judicial decisions interpreting these laws) (the “DGCL”) and the federal laws of the United States of America.

     This opinion may be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. Consent is also given to the reference to this firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

     The opinions expressed herein are rendered as of the date hereof. We do not undertake to advise you of matters that may come to our attention subsequent to the date hereof and that may affect the opinions expressed herein, including without limitation, future changes in applicable law. This letter is our opinion as to certain legal conclusions as specifically set forth herein and is not and should not be deemed to be a representation or opinion as to any factual

 


 

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.
September       , 2004
Page 7

matters. The opinions expressed herein may not be quoted in whole or in part or otherwise used or referred to in connection with any other transactions.

     
Very truly yours,
 
HOLME ROBERTS & OWEN LLP
 
   
By:
   
 
Garth B. Jensen
Partner

 

 

EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-117319) and related Prospectus of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) pertaining to the registration of $450.0 million in securities to be offered by the Company and co-registrants, and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated January 8, 2004, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

August 30, 2004
Denver, Colorado

 

EXHIBIT 25.1
 



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)


U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)

31-0841368
I.R.S. Employer Identification No.

     
180 East Fifth Street    
St. Paul, Minnesota   55101

 
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Richard H. Prokosch
U.S. Bank National Association
180 East Fifth Street
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 244-8677
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

(Issuer with respect to the Securities)
     
Delaware   84-0622967

 
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
3600 South Yosemite Street    
Suite 900    
Denver, CO 80237   80237

 
 
 
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Senior Notes
Senior Subordinated Notes
Junior Subordinated Notes
(Title of the Indenture Securities)



 


 

FORM T-1

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 the Currency
Washington, D.C.

b)   Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

    Yes

Item 2.   AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe each such affiliation.

    None

Items 3-15   Items 3-15 are not applicable because to the best of the Trustee’s knowledge, the obligor is not in default under any Indenture for which the Trustee acts as Trustee.

Item 16.   LIST OF EXHIBITS: List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility and qualification.

1.   A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee.*
 
2.   A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to commence business.*
 
3.   A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust powers.*
 
4.   A copy of the existing bylaws of the Trustee.*
 
5.   A copy of each Indenture referred to in Item 4. Not applicable.
 
6.   The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached as Exhibit 6.
 
7.   Report of Condition of the Trustee as of December 31, 2001, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7.

     * Incorporated by reference to Registration Number 333-67188.

2


 

NOTE

          The answers to this statement insofar as such answers relate to what persons have been underwriters for any securities of the obligors within three years prior to the date of filing this statement, or what persons are owners of 10% or more of the voting securities of the obligors, or affiliates, are based upon information furnished to the Trustee by the obligors. While the Trustee has no reason to doubt the accuracy of any such information, it cannot accept any responsibility therefor.

SIGNATURE

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Trustee, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of St. Paul, State of Minnesota on the 27th day of August, 2004.

         
    U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
 
       
  By:   /s/ Frank P. Leslie III
     
 
      Frank P. Leslie III
      Vice President
     
By:
  /s/ Lori-Anne Rosenberg
 
 
  Lori-Anne Rosenberg
  Assistant Vice President

3


 

Exhibit 6

CONSENT

          In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the undersigned, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.

Dated: August 27, 2004

         
    U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
 
       
  By:   /s/ Frank P. Leslie III
     
 
      Frank P. Leslie III
      Vice President
     
By:
  /s/ Lori-Anne Rosenberg
 
 
  Lori-Anne Rosenberg
      Assistant Vice President

4


 

Exhibit 7

U.S. Bank National Association
Statement of Financial Condition
As of 6/30/2004

($000’s)

         
    6/30/2004
Assets
       
Cash and Due From Depository Institutions
  $ 7,475,658  
Federal Reserve Stock
    0  
Securities
    39,934,622  
Federal Funds
    2,663,649  
Loans & Lease Financing Receivables
    119,013,580  
Fixed Assets
    1,844,577  
Intangible Assets
    10,112,137  
Other Assets
    8,692,406  
 
   
 
 
Total Assets
  $ 189,736,629  
Liabilities
       
Deposits
  $ 126,260,502  
Fed Funds
    7,577,969  
Treasury Demand Notes
    0  
Trading Liabilities
    123,543  
Other Borrowed Money
    24,852,349  
Acceptances
    169,141  
Subordinated Notes and Debentures
    5,469,689  
Other Liabilities
    5,465,553  
 
   
 
 
Total Liabilities
  $ 169,918,746  
Equity
       
Minority Interest in Subsidiaries
  $ 1,009,877  
Common and Preferred Stock
    18,200  
Surplus
    11,792,288  
Undivided Profits
    6,997,518  
 
   
 
 
Total Equity Capital
  $ 19,817,883  
Total Liabilities and Equity Capital
  $ 189,736,629  

To the best of the undersigned’s determination, as of the date hereof, the above financial information is true and correct.

     
U.S. Bank National Association
 
   
By:
  /s/ Frank P. Leslie III
 
 
  Vice President

Date: August 27, 2004

5