Heidi Mountains Cooperative— where environmental science, values and leadership unite

The Heidi Mountains Cooperative is a new business venture launching in the summer of 2022. Founded by Dr. Heidi Steltzer, environmental and climate scientist, and Fort Lewis College professor of Environment and Sustainability, the Heidi Mountains Cooperative is an environmental field station, event and leadership center that aims to honor science as one way of knowing among many and teaches humanistic approaches to leadership in our communities, businesses, and world. It’s a space where one can explore science and spirituality, as both are essential to understanding the profound interconnectedness we have with each other and the Earth.

The Heidi Mountains Cooperative features a physical place called The Haven—a 3-acre hub where people connect and inspire each other to live well, lead with compassion, share inherent cultural and environmental knowledge, and engage in local and expeditionary climate science.  Located near Cortez, Colorado on a high desert landscape with McElmo Creek running through it, The Haven features views of Mesa Verde (just 10-minutes to the entrance of the National Park), of High Mountains with seasonally snow-capped peaks, and of a sacred mountain known locally as “Sleeping Ute” on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation. 

The Haven will host groups, families, or individuals for retreats, workshops, expeditions, or other individual and collaborative activities that would benefit from its unique desert-mountain location and facilities. Facilities at The Haven include a trailer with 3 bedrooms, shared bath, kitchen, and teahouse inspired meeting room; an A-frame log hut with its own kitchen, rustic bathroom and gathering space; a multi-purpose workshop/lab/event space with views of the mountains and heated by a woodstove (wood is provided); a barn for organizing and testing gear; and land where guests can set up their small campers, vans or tents for additional lodging space (no hook ups, no shade). 

The Haven also features books, maps and art to inspire guests to explore within themselves and develop new insights about the human experience and our world. 

The business model for the Heidi Mountains Cooperative has five core revenue streams: 1. Dr. Steltzer will invite organizations and leaders to host their programs at The Haven; 2. Dr. Steltzer will offer retreats, expeditions, events, and online programming focused on environmental science, values and leadership; and 3. Locals will book 2-7 day stay-cations at The Haven for gatherings, to pursue creative endeavors, to connect with folks in the region, or to relax and explore the region on their own. 

Heidi Mountains Cooperative will also be an umbrella business for Dr. Steltzer to write books and essays, as well as contribute as a speaker or facilitator to environmental, climate, and sustainability focused events (fourth and fifth revenue sources) across the country and internationally. 

Dr. Steltzer’s books, essays, and talks, and her vision for the Heidi Mountains Cooperative are her intellectual property.