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

Bees on Sunflower
Monday, June 6th, 2022

Mini Workshop about Bees - July 30th

Bonita Bock will present ways in which our bee population is being challenged as well as ways we can be helpful human allies to these important pollinators on Saturday July 30, 2022 at the Everson Ranch from 10 am-12 Noon There are 900 different varieties of bees in Colorado. Far more than only the honey bee. Bees pollinate 1/3 of our diet. These complex creatures are having trouble in our…
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Permaculture Workshop Poster
Sunday, April 24th, 2022

Permaculture Workshop June-24-26, 2022

Everson Ranch at OLT: Learn and apply permaculture concepts at this unique and historic ranch site that connects guest visitation, farm & ranch, gardens, education, and land conservation in a clothing-optional setting. We are excited to partner with Pikes Peak Permaculture for this event.2 1/2 DAY COURSE INCLUDES• Meals• Camping at the ranch• Instruction from experts• Working in teams on site• Designs using permaculture knowledge & techniquesCOURSE WILL COVER• Water…
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Fields at Everson Ranch
Sunday, April 24th, 2022

Summer Volunteers at the Ranch

Do you want to get away from urban life, live in the country and live on a ranch helping with ranch, grounds keeping, and garden chores? Orient Land Trust is asking for 2022 ranch volunteers starting now. Live and work in a remote, peaceful setting on the 150 year old Everson Ranch. The garden and ranch buildings are only four miles from the base of the Sangre de Cristos and…
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Neil Seitz, 1954 - 2021
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.…
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Volunteers Pulling Weeds
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…
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Volunteer vs. Weeds
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
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Volunteers Exploring a Beehive
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.…
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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.