The city is largest population center on the Colorado Western Slope, unofficially serving as the capital of the region. The local television stations serve as a major media source for the region, in the way that those in Denver do for the Colorado Front Range to the east.The city located along the north side of Colorado River where it receives the Gunnison River from south. The name "Grand" refers to the historical name of the upper Colorado River used by locals in the late 19th and early 20th century.