Orient Land Trust is a non-profit land trust created around Valley View Hot Springs, its unique culture and environment.

With the Orient Mine and Everson Ranch, we now protect 2,200 acres, its wildlife corridor, pristine spring waters, hiking trails, rustic cabins, and camping. Visitors of all ages and walks of life enjoy free educational programs, clothing-optional naturist open space, geothermal warmth, hydroelectric energy, and Colorado's largest bat colony.  Read more...

Guidelines Rates and Reservations Bat Tours

Waterfall Pond
Friday, November 4th, 2022

Beautiful Words of Appreciation

There comes a time in our lives when we need a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, when we just set aside a brief moment in our busy, chaotic lives to take a breath to refresh ourselves, we are simply inhaling the same set of assumptions and preconceived notions that have been polluting our minds and bodies for years. Sometimes it's necessary to search out new air to breathe. Mary and…
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Brown Bear ay Valley View 2011
Thursday, August 18th, 2022

Bear Country

Valley View Hot Springs has been visited by a bear. This year there has been quite a bit of bear activity along the Sangre de Cristo range. Shortages of the wild food supply for bears has made it hard for them to find enough food to pack on hibernation reserves. Bears that repeatedly visit human campgrounds, towns, and dwellings are euthanized, which none of us want. We have not had…
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Pool noodles left at Soaking Pool
Thursday, August 18th, 2022

Pools and Toys

It is a testament to just how relaxed one gets here at Valley View that we regularly gather discarded or forgotten garments, possessions and (especially) Pool Toys. We are asking that, if you bring these things here, you also take them with you when you leave. We throw a lot of pool toys away each week. This is a profound waste and a sad record of conservation. We cannot curate…
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Chickens at Everson Ranch
Thursday, August 18th, 2022

Two Weeks with the Chickens

According to our 2021 summer Everson Ranch volunteer, Miriam, "I went a little OCD on the chickens..." I thought that a two-week stint volunteering at the Everson Ranch would be a bucolic holiday filled with, yes, lots of great gardening and chicken care -- but with plenty of time left over for me to work on my writing projects. Well, I was right about the first part of it. It…
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Permaculture Workshop 2022
Thursday, August 18th, 2022

What has been happening at the Everson Ranch lately?

In May a group of volunteers celebrated the international World Naked Gardening Day at the Everson Ranch. Finding the information through the OLT newsletter, volunteers that had joined the event before, had never been to the ranch and/ or to the hot springs before were eager to help in any attire. We had a window of about 2 hours to plant and weed before the relentless wind, typical for this…
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Executive Director, Doug Bishop gives a Hydro Tour for 2019 Science Camp
Monday, June 6th, 2022

Accepting Applications for New Deputy Director Position Final Round

OLT Is looking to the future! The OLT Board of Directors is excited to announce that we are continuing our advertising (round 2 of 2) to find a candidate to fill a newly created managerial position. This new position is titled Deputy Director and the target hire date for this position will be January 2023. Salary range: $38,000 to $45,000 Status: Exempt, Salary Closing Date: August 15, 2022 Benefits include:…
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Permaculture Workshop Poster
Monday, June 6th, 2022

Permaculture Workshop - Jun 24-26

There's still time to register. Join us for this unique experience. Our permaculture design workshop will provide a collaborative process that allows for a diversity of perspectives and design ideas. This design workshop is intended to give participants an introduction to permaculture concepts while engaging them in the actual design process of the Everson Ranch site of Orient Land Trust. Full info at www.olt.org/perma .
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Apr
20

Sat 4/20/24 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Jul
20

Sat 7/20/24 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

  • Naturism by Neil & Terry Seitz, FoundersHistory of Naturism at OLT
  • Words of Wisdom by Neil & Terry Seitz, FoundersSharing experience and wisdom that helped sustain this special place through the decades.

For the education, enjoyment, and well-being of current and future generations, Orient Land Trust: 
promotes a positive clothing-optional experience at all properties including Valley View Hot Springs, Orient Mine and Everson Ranch;
preserves the viewshed, including land acquisition; 
protects natural, wild, agricultural, and historic resources, in the northern San Luis Valley.

Values

  • Dedication to inclusiveness and the public good
  • Accountability to a diverse public community and maintaining their trust
  • Social and environmental justice beyond mandates
  • Respect for the worth and dignity of individuals and nature
  • Embracing naturism through practice and education
  • Modeling collaborative pluralism, transparency, integrity and honesty
  • Pledging excellence and responsibility in stewarding resources
  • Encouraging lifelong learning

Goals

  • Visitor Space Protection and Management: Maintain and protect Valley View Hot Springs as an affordable, peaceful and family-friendly clothing-optional recreational facility that enhances the visitor experience year round.
  • Conservation and Preservation: Follow the highest possible standards for land preservation, agricultural practices, and energy and water conservation.
  • Research and Education: Facilitate scientific research around OLT resources, and promote educational programs and activities suitable for adults and children.
  • Staff Development and Community Relations: Maintain OLT as a responsible citizen of the San Luis Valley.