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

Summer Food Storage Cabin
Tuesday, June 3rd, 2014

Cooking without Crowds

Ever try to squeeze into the Oak House kitchen on a busy evening? Many have asked about the cabin we positioned next to the pavilion. Last summer, it served as a trading post. But this summer, we'll be opening it for campers to store food and prepare meals with the nearby grills. We'll add a couple communal refrigerators and room to stow coolers inside keeping any curious bears away. Spring…
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Last year's silly science campers
Tuesday, June 3rd, 2014

Summer Science Camp - July 20-25

Long-time volunteer, Ted Peck, has volunteered to host a summer science camp for one week at OLT that will span our properties from the Everson Ranch to the Hot Springs and Orient Mine. It's a great opportunity for up to 20 kids (and their parents) to learn a little science and renew or create relationships that may last a long time. We're lining up presentations in geology, hydrology, biology, plants,…
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Atomega
Wednesday, May 28th, 2014

Members Weekend Bands

Attention All Awesome Orient Land Trust Members: We're happy to announce the lineup of bands scheduled for our 2014 OLT Membership Appreciation Weekend; Friday, August 8th – Sunday, August 10th. Facebook Event Boulder's Intuit, scheduled for Friday at 8:45pm, draws inspiration from reggae, funk, jazz, blues, hip-hop, folk, and world music to create a lively and original sound. With heart-warming lulls, energetic peaks, and endless stylistic shape–shifting, Intuit delivers a…
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Doug Bishop, Executive Director
Friday, May 2nd, 2014

Executive Director Selected

Orient Land Trust (OLT) is pleased to announce that long-time Saguache County resident Doug Bishop has been chosen as its new Executive Director. Doug is a native of Colorado and has lived in the northern San Luis Valley for over 40 years since moving to Major Creek, just south of Valley View Hot Springs, in 1973. He first visited Valley View that same year, even before OLT’s founders discovered it!…
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April Board Meeting
Thursday, May 1st, 2014

OLT Needs Board Members

Fellow appreciators of OLT and fellow soakers, we need board members and board committee members. If you have ever thought of serving OLT this is the time to step up and be counted. If you are interested in serving on the board of directors or a board committee, please send an email to BDCchair @olt.org with your name, phone number and any other pertinent information you wish to share. We…
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CC Volunteers with Ranch Manager, Mike O'Donal
Wednesday, April 30th, 2014

Volunteer Your Time!

Want to get involved at Orient Land Trust? Volunteers are extremely important to OLT. Please consider a donation of your time to help us work more efficiently toward the protection of the northern San Luis Valley’s unique resources and open space. Summer 2014 Volunteer Hosts Needed The Host opportunities listed below are all "full time," onsite positions that run for a minimum of two weeks, or more during our peak…
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Old Outhouse beside Oak House
Wednesday, April 30th, 2014

Waste Water Facilities Campaign

OLT's campaign for Valley View's Waste Water Treatment Plant upgrades is well underway and is now nearly 15% complete. Our fundraising dinner was attended by nearly 200 people and raised over $15,000 in donations/ pledges and proceeds from guest speaker John Fielder’s generous donation of 30 % of book sales for the evening. Combined with donations from the December Annual Appeal mailing seeking funds for the WWTP upgrades, we have…
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  • 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.