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

Hot Springs Creek, Reservoir & Everson Ranch animated history
Sunday, November 9th, 2014

Hot Springs Creek, Reservoir & Everson Ranch

In line with our land conservation mission and thanks to your generous contributions, one project that was undertaken after buying the ranch was the construction of a reservoir. There were dreams of using the water stored in the reservoir to irrigate a field using a circular pivot. The reservoir construction was costly and we learned from some mistakes. Now there is a nice reservoir that is part of a fish…
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Brazilian Free-Tailed Bats
Wednesday, October 29th, 2014

Bat Science

Brazilian Free-Tailed Bats from Colorado Parks & Wildlife on Vimeo. Advisory board member and bat biologist, Kirk Navo, led a group of volunteers studying our bats with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Video footage shows the team of students and teachers working at the Orient Mine in August 2014. The mine's Glory Hole is located just a few miles north of Valley View Hot Springs. OLT offers free guided and…
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Proposed ribbon-cutting ceremony
Monday, September 15th, 2014

New WWTP Upgrades to Break Ground Soon!

OLT finally received the needed ground water discharge permit from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) after a four year process that allows OLT to engage contractors for the construction of the project. We are currently obtaining bids as we await final design approval from the state. OLT plans to break ground on the new WWTP facilities this fall with completion expected in about 6-8 weeks. The…
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Chef shot Ta Lin
Monday, September 15th, 2014

Lunch and Learn - Oct 11th

Enjoy a Cooking Class with fellow OLT member and Master Chef, Scott Sharot, in the OLT pavilion at Valley View on Saturday Oct 11th at 12:30 pm. The cost is $25 and will benefit OLT's new Waste Water Treatment Plant upgrades. Chef Sharot will lead participants in a cooking demo of several delicious lunch dishes which they will get to enjoy and take home recipes from afterwards,
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Tom Bowes shows the old “two wire” control system.
Thursday, September 4th, 2014

OLT’s Hydroelectric is Under Control

Visitors to the OLT’s Valley View Hot Springs may not realize that the water that warms them in the Apple Tree Pools also heats cabins via radiant underfloor piping, and then is used to generate electricity, which in turn heats the pools and provides power to the campus. This remarkable system is one of the unique things about Valley View, and an integral part of the facility’s “recycle, reuse, reduce”…
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Paintings from photos of VVHS
Thursday, September 4th, 2014

Art Sale Benefit - Oct 4th, Salida

Long-time Orient Land Trust supporter, John Lorenz, will offer San Luis Valley and OLT inspired photographs for sale at The Fritz restaurant in Salida during the month of October. An opening reception with refreshments and a cash bar will happen Saturday, October 4th from 4 to 6 pm. Martin Jolley and other artists will also offer art for sale. A minimum of 30% of sales has been promised for the…
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Breakfast at Member's Weekend
Thursday, September 4th, 2014

Members Appreciation Weekend in Review

Another exciting Members Appreciation week-end was logged on August 9th-11th at Valley View Hot Springs when a record 245 OLT members came from far and wide to participate in a fun-filled slate of activities or just "chillax" in our soaking ponds, pool and sauna amidst the ever-stunning Valley View-sheds. More active enthusiasts embarked on OLT's trails, hiked to the bats at Orient Mine, visited our Everson ranch to feed the…
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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.

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.