Sustainable Settings

Background

Sustainable Settings was founded in 1997 by Brook and Rose Le Van following their travels in China, initially operating under the fiscal sponsorship of COMPASS, a nonprofit focused on lifelong learning, social justice, responsibility, and community. The Le Vans sought to create a “setting in which people could live and learn to create a more sustainable future.” In 2001, the group became an independent nonprofit and began searching for a permanent site. It acquired the 244-acre Thompson Creek Ranch along the Crystal River in Pitkin County, Colorado, which serves as its headquarters for research, demonstration, and educational activities. The ranch, purchased for $2.35 million with contributions from donors, including Peter and Adam Lewis, is protected by conservation easements to preserve its agricultural use. The organization received 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service in February 2002. ^{5 1}

The group attracts visitors for educational programs and compiles datasets on soil health through USDA/NRCS laboratory tests, claiming that its farming practices have led to improvements in metrics like microbial activity and carbon content. In 2022, the organization listed the ranch for sale at $24.25 million, citing escalating costs and the need to ensure long-term viability as a land-based nonprofit. The proposed sale aimed to finance a smaller relocation site, new facilities, and an endowment for ongoing expenses. As of 2026, the group maintains operations at the original location, with the property still appearing active and no public confirmation of a completed sale. ⁴

Activities

Sustainable Settings operates as a working ranch and educational center, implementing regenerative agriculture practices such as biodynamic farming, management-intensive grazing, permaculture, and crop rotation. It maintains herds of Guernsey dairy cows, produces heirloom vegetables, non-soy eggs, and botanical herbs, and sells these products through an on-site store. The group claims its methods result in measurable soil health gains. ³

Sustainable Settings has encountered regulatory scrutiny from Pitkin County, Colorado officials. In 2007, authorities closed the ranch to public visits due to inadequate facilities like toilets and hand-washing stations for visitors interacting with animals. Required improvements, estimated at $150,000, strained finances and contributed to earlier relocation considerations. Neighbors of the property have complained about traffic and alleged illegal earth moving. ²

In 2022, the property was listed for sale at $24 million to potentially fund a relocation and endowment, though it continued operations at the site as of early 2026. ⁴

Funders

Funders of Sustainable Settings have included the Nick Dewolf Foundation, the Arches Foundation, the Brady Foundation, the Rodel Foundation, the Rothschild Family Foundation, the Doolin Family Foundation, and the Wild Waters Foundation. ⁶