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

Tuesday, April 5th, 2022

Memorial

Orient Land Trust honors founder, Neil Seitz, on July 10, 2022. Those of you who pay attention to the availability calendar might have noticed that the July 10 date has filled in. We have reserved the hot springs on July 10 for a memorial service for invited friends and family of Neil and Terry Seitz. Some accommodations have multiple nights due to the distance some of the guests are traveling.…
Tuesday, April 5th, 2022

Weed Pull Volunteers

It's that time again! Every year, a group of dedicated volunteers participate in our annual weed pull! We hope to offer opportunities for individuals to get their hands dirty and volunteer by pulling weeds. Noxious weeds are "non-native invasive plants that displace desirable vegetation and degrade natural and agricultural lands. They threaten our drinking water supply, agricultural crops, pasture lands and native habitats." Most of the weeds we pull are…
Tuesday, April 5th, 2022

Ranch Volunteers

Volunteering at the Everson Ranch in 2022 Last year's volunteer program at the Everson Ranch was successful. Our gratitude goes out to those volunteers who got the work done. The support and help we received was amazing. This year, OLT is once again recruiting ranch volunteers starting in May. Do you want to get away from urban life, live in the country and live on a
Tuesday, April 5th, 2022

Everson Ranch Workshops

Last year OLT hosted their first free 2-3 hrs. mini workshops at the Everson Ranch for OLT guests and neighbors. Volunteers shared their expertise on several different subjects. We had a hands-on class on how to build your own beehive box, a lecture on the history of tea, a lecture about bees in general and another hands-on experience on harvesting weeds from the garden and preparing a meal with them.…
Tuesday, April 5th, 2022

World Naked Gardening Day

Saturday May 7th. at the Everson Ranch. The ranch will open at 9:30am. We are starting to work at 10:00am and as long as people like to help that day. "This is an invitation to participate in an international, annual event where gardeners and non gardeners come together to celebrate gardening in the open. Usually it is a fun, lighthearted and a liberating experience. You can wear as much or…
Tuesday, April 5th, 2022

A Busy Day at the Office

Every March we get a kick start and reminder of how many people want to visit Valley View. We are not only seeing a return of guests that have not been here since our COVID closure, but also many new residents of the San Luis Valley and tourists wanting to experience the uniqueness of Orient Land Trust and Valley View Hot Springs. Every one of these visits begins with a…
Friday, March 11th, 2022

Douglas County Residents

Attention residents of Douglas County. Do you value Valley View Hot Springs and Orient Land Trust? Do you question and challenge the Renewable Water Resources (RWR) proposal to take water from the San Luis Valley and pipe it to provide water for growth in your county? Your voice matters. The Douglas County commissioners want to hear from YOU in regards to the Renewable Water Resources (RWR) proposal. People across the…

Jan
27

Sat 1/27/24 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

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.