Clear
Humidity: 72%
Wind: ENE at 5 mph
27.9°F (Station details)
Wednesday

19°F - 41°F
Thursday

21°F - 44°F
Friday

21°F - 46°F
Saturday

17°F - 41°F
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The 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

Breakfast at Member's Weekend 2014
Tuesday, 11 December 2018

Member Appreciation Weekend 2019

For those of you ready to make plans for the 2019 Member Appreciation Weekend, we have picked the date. The annual celebration will be the weekend before the full moon in July: July 12 and 13. The Full Moon is the following Tuesday making for bright skies on the nights of our event. We will be providing more information in the coming months.
Read more...
Hydroelectric Kilowatts Meter in Welcome Center
Tuesday, 11 December 2018

Winter and Hot Water

This winter, the Sangre de Cristo range is providing less water bubbling up from the springs. Reduced water, resulting from drought, means less electricity produced by our hydroelectric plant. The amount of power we can produce is based on the volume of water as well as the vertical drop. While our vertical drop is constant, the volume of water varies. The heated pools are built to help us regulate the…
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Nantucket Pie Pumpkin
Tuesday, 11 December 2018

Flowers, Pumpkins and Corn

We had plenty of Marigolds in the garden this year. In addition to the cheery flowers they brought to the garden and in vases for the welcome center, they helped protect the vegetables from certain pest and attracted valuable insects as well. Mexican Marigolds are said to offend a host of destructive insects and wild rabbits as well. The abundance of Calendula in the garden also discouraged in soil borne…
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Wildlife
Wednesday, 07 November 2018

Wildlife

The deer population at the hot springs is not "ours." They are wild deer even though they act tame. A few of the deer in our area have realized that the hot springs is a safe haven from hunters. From a wildlife management perspective, the deer have overpopulated the Sangre de Cristo range and the hot springs shares in that problem. The best solution would be to thin the herd…
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Garden
Wednesday, 07 November 2018

Everson Ranch - Season of Gratitude

We Give Thanks: To the land trust founders and their vision to protect and preserve this amazing piece of earth. To the board of directors who serve with collective experience, skills, knowledge and wise counsel that moves our organization plan forward. To the dedicated staff motivated by their passion to support OLT's mission and who have helped co-create the ranch component of our educational program. To the volunteers who have…
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Colorado Gives Day 2018 logo
Wednesday, 07 November 2018

Colorado Gives Day - Dec 4, 2018

Colorado Gives Day is an annual fundraising opportunity that adds to your donation to your favorite non-profit. There is a partial match when donations are made through Colorado Gives to listed participating organizations. To see our profile, search the Colorado Gives site and look for Orient Land Trust
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Snowy North Mth
Wednesday, 07 November 2018

Valley View Closed Dec 1st - 28th

Valley View Hot Springs will be closed from December 1 through the 28, reopening on December 29. A tradition here at the hot springs, it's a time for staff to work on maintenance projects that are difficult to do while guests use the facility. It's also a time for rejuvenation, peace and quiet for the springs, the wildlife and the land. This is the one time it is OK to…
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Jan
26

01/26/2019 9:00 am - 3:45 pm

Apr
20

04/20/2019 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Jul
12

5:00 pm 07/12/2019 - 12:00 pm 07/14/2019

Jul
20

07/20/2019 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Oct
19

10/19/2019 9:00 am - 3:30 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.

Orient Land Trust is a nonprofit land trust 
dedicated to the preservation of Valley View Hot Springs (VVHS) and its viewshed—
including natural and biologic resources, agricultural lands, wildlife habitat, 
open space, and historic and geologic features of the northern San Luis Valley—
for the education and enjoyment of current and future generations.

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.