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

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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Sunrise Medano-Zapata Ranch - Alamosa County (JF - 0890)
Tuesday, February 4th, 2014

2014 Membership Dinner and WWTP Fundraiser

Thursday, April 3 Enjoy a great meal & OLT friends, learn about OLT’s new strategic plan, support OLT’s Wastewater Treatment Plant campaign! Door prizes!
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Let's Donate!
Wednesday, November 27th, 2013

Let's Donate!

We Need 1500 Donors @ $100 Each! Ever sit on the back porch at Oak House in warm summer months and catch our "drift"?!? It's not too swift on hot, sunny days, depending on which way the wind blows! OLT's wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), constructed in 1983, has gotten heavy use over the last 30 years by our thousands of annual visitors and is in dire need of retirement. We…
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Mark Jacobi, Interim Executive Director
Wednesday, November 27th, 2013

OLT’s New Interim Executive Director

Born in Appleton, WI at the age of 28, after traveling a good deal, I realized I could leave once and for all! I lived and renovated buildings in New York City from 1984-1988, also exploring Theatre and Art. My wife and I have resided in the Baca Grande, south of Crestone, CO for the last 25 years in a house that we hand-built. During that time I was a…
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Thank You Terry and Neil!
Wednesday, November 27th, 2013

Thank You Terry and Neil!

OLT is forever grateful to our founders, Neil and Terry Seitz for their on-going consultation to and support of OLT, especially during this time of transition in organizational leadership. Terry, in particular, has put in countless hours bringing OLT's bookkeeping current after the departure of several staff members, keeping things on an even keel financially, helping OLT"s Development Director with database knowledge regarding queries and data mining, answering phones and…
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Sep
28

09/28/2019 3:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Oct
19

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

Jan
25

01/25/2020 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.