Recent Wildfire Hazard Clean-up

On April 21, as part of OLT's efforts to mitigate wildfire risk, Doug Bishop led a group of eight OLT members and staff in the removal of dead wood and other fire hazards from the tent camping sites between the Welcome Center and Meadow Pond. In less than two hours, the group had the campsites cleaned up and looking good. Thanks to all who helped!

Orient Land Trust is hiring!

We are currently hiring for the position of Visitor Services Manager at Valley View Hot Springs. Join our dynamic, fast-paced environment where employees are valued for their contributions and perspectives. We seek a team player with strong communication skills who shares OLT's community values and mission. 

Department: Visitor Services 
Job Title: Visitor Services Manager 
Supervisor: Executive Director 
Position Type: Full-time with some overtime possible and expected. This position is a non-exempt, hourly position. 
Pay Range: Starting at $18 to $22 hourly in addition to compensation arrangements for overnights 
FLSA Status: Nonexempt 
Benefits include: An employee may be eligible for OLT group health plan coverage the first of the month after 60 days of employment depending on the hours worked and for Paid Time Off (PTO) benefits after 120 days of employment depending on the hours worked.
Location(s): Valley View Hot Springs property primarily. Everson Ranch and other OLT properties as needed
Job Relationships: Work closely with ED and all department managers and staff.
Position Overview: Under the supervision of the Executive Director (ED) and guided by current strategic and operating plans, the VSM is responsible for the smooth operation of visitor services programs and for providing a high-quality visitor experience.

Full Job Description:
Visitor_Services_Manager_Revised_2024.pdf

Link to application:
OLT_Emp_App_01-31-22.pdf

Orient Land Trust is a great place to work! We have a dedicated and friendly staff who work year-round to promote the mission of the land trust, maintain this beautiful property, and assist guests with their visits.

If you live locally and are looking for a new opportunity? Join our Housekeeping team! We have a part-time, seasonal position available, with the possibility of long-term employment. 

For more information, check out our links or email Crystal at

Job Description 

Job Application

Are you looking to get away and enjoy an extended stay in nature? Would you give a few hours a day towards our cause? Consider volunteering at Valley View Hot Springs or the historic Everson Ranch.

Valley View volunteers are dedicated to keeping our natural setting peaceful, beautiful, and operating efficiently. Volunteers assist us with a myriad of details that keep things flowing smoothly and we count on volunteers to get it all done.

The beautiful setting of the historic Everson Ranch offers inspiring views and star-filled nights. As we aim to increase visitation, we are asking for volunteers to assist us with guests. We also have opportunities to work in the garden, help with the animals, and with chores.

Become a part of our volunteer community! Opportunities available March - October.
Email for the application, more information, or with any questions.

It's that time again!

Every year, a group of dedicated volunteers participate in our annual weed pull!

This is an opportunity to get your hands dirty and reduce the noxious weed population. Noxious weeds are "non-native invasive plants that displace desirable vegetation and degrade natural and agricultural lands. They threaten our drinking water supply, crops, pasture lands, and native habitats." Most of the weeds we pull are from the state of Colorado's B list. These include Bull Thistle, Houndstongue, and Henbane.

OLT is committed to working on our weed issue without using chemical sprays or weed killers, so volunteer power is critical.

This year, volunteers will arrive on May 22nd for a day of relaxation before the work begins at 8 am on the morning of the 23rd. We will start the day by gathering and receiving training on which invasive species we are targeting and how to properly remove them. We will work until one on the 23rd and 24th.

There are a few more volunteers needed for this year's workshop. VVHS admission fees and tent camping will be provided on May 22nd and 23rd.

Contact our volunteer coordinator to sign up! Email Crystal at  

It has surprised us on many occasions to hear guests advising other guests with incorrect information. There have been a few changes over the past 4 years that may not be familiar to everyone. This is an attempt to get everyone on the same page, Veterans and First Time Guests. Please take a few minutes to read the guidelines and information for planning a visit. If you ever have questions while you are visiting OLT/Valley View our front desk staff are happy to give direction or answers. Thank you.

Information to Help Plan Your Visit to Valley View

Visitors Guide

WANT TO GIVE BACK? BECOME AN ORIENT LAND TRUST (OLT) BOARD MEMBER:

OLT's current board of director's goal is to ensure that the vision and mission of OLT are met by working closely with OLT staff to keep things spinning like a smooth-running hydro generator creating energy that electrifies all visitors! Perhaps this season may include you applying to be on the Orient Land Trust executive board.

It is our honor to encourage interested OLT members, volunteers, and committee members to consider applying to become a future board member. Please consider submitting a letter of interest for serving as an OLT board member and an updated resume. In your letter of interest please share your experiences you may have had with nonprofits (including volunteer boards), fundraising, finance, committee work, and volunteerism. Most importantly, please share your own experiences in respect to Valley View and the OLT and why you have the desire and skill set to give back.

All board applications are taken very seriously by the Governance Committee, so please do not let any obstacle (age, gender, disability, etc.) keep you from applying. You may email your letter of interest, resume and any questions you might have about the application process to .

We look forward to hearing from you!

Submitted by Jon Florey, co-chair of the Governance Committee and Jim Manley, co-chair of the Governance Committee.

Learn More...

The Orient Land Trust learning curve can be steep for members who are curious about the scope of OLT (it's so much more than soaking pools). Here are some fun ideas for discovering what Orient Land Trust board candidates may recommend as part of an OLT adventure.

There are adventures where you can learn more of the scope of OLT. Enjoy a tour of the ranch, gardens, and bats or take a hydro tour. Questions about the bioregion, wildlife, invertebrates, astronomy, water, mountain biking, and hiking trails or running an "off-grid" non-profit business begin at the Visitors Center. Educate yourself about the many layers of OLT by reading the informative OLT website.

Join a Committee...

Would you like to join an OLT committee? This is an excellent way to serve OLT and learn more about the operations of this non-profit enterprise. Contact a Committee Chair for more information if interested:

External Affairs (Outreach and Fundraising). Contact;
Internal Affairs (Finances & Human Resource). Contact;
Conservation (Resource and Protection) Contact;
Site Plan (Focus on Valley View). Contact;
Long Term Visioning (Future Direction) Contact;

Attend a Board Meeting...

Observing an Orient Land Trust board meeting is an informative way to learn if you may be interested in becoming a future OLT board member. You can find more specifics of when board meetings occur and expectations of being on the board at the OLT website. 
https://www.olt.org/get-involved/openings

YOU BRING IT, YOU TAKE IT HOME

We ask everyone to come pretty self-contained with food, drink, towels, robes; if you're camping, cookware and dishes. Hats are a great alternative to sunscreen. One particular item that people bring and tend to leave behind are pool toys and noodles. Please take them home with you.

We do our best to manage and dispose of recyclable materials responsibly, but it requires a tremendous amount of work and a trip across the Valley once a week; no one comes to pick it up for us. If you have a service or routine of recycling at home it would be greatly appreciated if you would take your recyclables when you leave.

Please separate food waste from trash. There are food scrap buckets in locations where there are trash bins. Food scraps in the dumpster attract, and create, nuisance wildlife. Food scraps are fed to the chickens so don't include eggshells; it teaches the chickens to peck the eggs they lay.

Thank you for doing your part.

One very familiar and welcoming face that is no longer going to be greeting guests is Cherrye's. She and husband Mike are relocating to Maine. They have both been an integral part of Orient Land Trust / Valley View Hot Springs. Those of you who know Cherrye may not be as familiar with Mike. You have surely enjoyed his contributions. He was a main builder of the Apple Tree ponds and the Round Bath / Kitchen house at the Everson Ranch. They both will be remembered and appreciated for all they have done and their kind and generous way of being.

Crystal is still stepping in to help when needed on the Front Desk, but her main focus is on becoming familiar with a myriad of tasks and abundance of knowledge that are a part of taking on her new position of Deputy Director.

All departments have welcomed new people in the last year. At the front desk and on the phone you will meet Mica, Melody, Nikki and Kate. Those who you may have talked to and been greeted by in years past that are still here are Jamie, Amory, Kelley, and Lisa.
Housekeeping has been joined by Rita and Melanie. Robin and Kate are the guiding force in this department.

Facilities and Maintenance has found strong and capable new help in Russ, Henry and Mica. Mark and Shannon continue on in maintaining our extensive facilities including the Hydro Electric system, Everson Ranch and Mt Springs properties. Mark, their fearless leader and ambassador extraordinaire, will be retiring at the end of the year. He is doing his best to make sure the complex and extensive knowledge of what keeps Valley View ticking is passed on and recorded.

Diane has joined Sabine at the Everson Ranch tending to the Chickens, garden and hoop houses, helping with events and maintaining the plants and yard around the Ranch buildings.

All of the electricity at the hot springs is supplied by a hydroelectric plant that has limited production capability. Our kilowatts are over allocated. Many people would like hot water in the pools all winter and we do our best to maximize the available power. Electric cars are increasingly prevalent. These may be helpful in reducing carbon emissions and slowing climate change. We are investigating some possibilities for electric car charging stations and would like to contribute to carbon free miles. One possibility is solar powered charging stations but we're not there yet. For the time being , we ask that you arrive with sufficient gasoline, diesel, or charged electric car batteries. The electricity produced here is precious and already called for. Neither can we be a gas station for those that neglect to fill up in town. Think ahead! When we get to the point where we can help, we'll let you know.