**EXHIBIT 23.1**

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in thisAnnual Report (Form 10-K) of Community First Bankshares, Inc. of our reportdated January 15, 2004 included in the 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders ofCommunity First Bankshares, Inc.

 

We also consent to the incorporation by reference inthe following Registration Statements and related Prospectuses of CommunityFirst Bankshares, Inc. of our report dated January 15, 2004, with respect tothe consolidated financial statements of Community First Bankshares, Inc.incorporated by reference in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year endedDecember 31, 2003.

 
| **Form** |   | **Registration  Statement No.** |   | **Purpose**                                                                               |
|----------|--------|---------------------------------|--------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|     |   |                            |   |                                                                                      |
| S-8      |   | 33-44921                        |   | 1987 Stock Option Plan                                                                    |
| S-8      |   | 33-48160                        |   | 401(k) Retirement Plan                                                                    |
| S-8      |   | 333-52071                       |   | 1996 Stock Option Plan and 401(k) Plan                                                    |
| S-8      |   | 333-74909                       |   | Board of Directors Deferred Compensation Plan and  Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan |
| S-8      |   | 333-108880                      |   | 1996 Stock Option Plan and 401(k) Retirement Plan                                         |
| S-3      |   | 333-37537                       |   | Registration of $150,000,000 of Common Stock,  Preferred Stock and Debt Securities        |
|     |   |                            |   |                                                                                      |
| S-3      |   | 333-83240                       |   | Shelf registration of $180,000,000 of Common Stock,  Preferred Stock and Debt Securities  |
|     |   |                            |   |                                                                                      |
| S-3      |   | 333-106164                      |   | Shelf registration of $120,000,000 of Common Stock,  Preferred Stock and Debt Securities  |
|     |   |                            |   |                                                                                      |
| S-4      |   | 333-40071                       |   | Shelf registration of 4,438,207 shares of Common  Stock                                   |
|     |   |                            |   |                                                                                      |
| S-4      |   | 333-49367                       |   | Shelf registration of 7,000,000 shares of Common  Stock                                   |

 

 
|                   | Ernst & Young LLP |
|------------------------|-----------------------|
|                   |                  |
| Minneapolis, Minnesota |                  |
| March 12, 2004         |                  |

 

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