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Grand Junction, CO

Frequently asked questions

Grand Junction, CO

Grand Junction is a home rule municipality that is the seat of government and largest city of Mesa County, Colorado, United States. Grand Junction's population was 65,560 at the 2020 United States Census, making it the most populous city in western Colorado and the 17th most populous Colorado municipality overall.

Grand Junction is a notable city along Interstate 70, being the economic and cultural center of Colorado's Western Slope, as well as the largest community between Denver and Salt Lake City. The city is also a college town, home to Colorado Mesa University.

Grand Junction is located in the Grand Valley, a large Colorado River valley that runs for over 30 miles east to west and also includes the communities of Palisade, Clifton, Fruita, and Loma.

Grand Junction is 247 miles (398 km) west-southwest of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. The city has a council–manager form of government. It is a major commercial and transportation hub within the large area between the Green River and the Continental Divide, and the largest city in Colorado outside of the Front Range Corridor.

The city is along the Colorado River, at its confluence with the Gunnison River, which comes in from the south. "Grand" refers to the historical Grand River, renamed the Upper Colorado River in 1921. "Junction" refers to the confluence of the Colorado and Gunnison rivers. Grand Junction has been nicknamed "River City". It is near the midpoint of a 30-mile (48 km) arcing valley, known as the Grand Valley; since the late 19th century it has been a major fruit-growing region. The valley was long occupied by the Ute people and earlier indigenous cultures. It was not settled by European-American farmers until the 1880s. Since the late 20th century, several wineries have been established in the area.

The Colorado National Monument, a unique series of canyons and mesas, overlooks the city on the west. Most of the area is surrounded by federal public lands managed by the US Bureau of Land Management. Interstate 70 connects the city eastward to Glenwood Springs and Denver and westward to Green River, Utah; Salt Lake City is reached to the west via Interstate 70 and U.S Route 6; and Las Vegas (via Interstate 70 and Interstate 15).

In September 1881, the former Ute Indian Territory was abolished and the Utes were forced into a reservation so that the U.S. government could open the area to settlers. Clinton County, Pennsylvania-born George Addison Crawford (1827–91) soon purchased a plot of land. On July 22, 1882, he incorporated the town of Grand Junction and planted Colorado's first vineyard near Palisade, Colorado, causing the area to become known as the Colorado Wine Country. Grand Junction also has a storied past with gunfighters, miners, and early settlers of the American Southwest.

The narrow gauge Denver and Rio Grande Railroad reached Grand Junction from the southeast, from Pueblo via Gunnison in 1882, followed in 1890 by the standard gauge Rio Grande Junction Railway from the northeast, from New Castle (jointly owned by the D&RG and the Colorado Midland). These greatly contributed to the expansion and settlement of the area.

At the 2020 United States Census, the city had a total area of 25,649 acres (103.799 km2) (40.077 sq mi) including 283 acres (1.147 km2) (.443 sq mi) of water.

Grand Junction has amazing facilities and even programs that cater to the health and wellness of its residents. Apex Physical Therapy & Wellness Center offers comprehensive physical therapy services, including sports rehabilitation, neurological therapy, and pelvic health therapy. Denver Physical Therapy focuses on manual therapy techniques, exercise therapy, and functional movement training to help patients achieve their rehabilitation goals. BoulderCentre for Orthopedics & Spine offers physical therapy services to address musculoskeletal issues and sports injuries. Vitality Physical Therapy provides personalized physical therapy programs for a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain management. SpineOne offers physical therapy as part of its comprehensive approach to treating spine-related conditions. Denver Health Physical Therapy Clinic provides physical therapy services for patients with various medical needs.

Top sites in Grand Junction, CO are Museum of the West, Museums of Western Colorado, Canyon View Park, Eureka! McConnell Science Museum, and Grand Junction Motor Speedway.

Population: 70,554 (2024). ZIP codes: 81501–81507. Area codes: 970, 748. Elevation: 4,646 ft (1,416 m). Area: 25,649 acres (103.799 km2).

FAQs

Why is Grand Junction, CO so popular?

The city takes its name from its location at the junction of the Gunnison and Colorado (formerly the Grand) Rivers, in the heart of the Grand Valley. Grand Junction lies near some of the state’s iconic natural features, including Colorado National Monument, Grand Mesa, and the Book Cliffs. It is the county seat of Mesa County. Today, tourism and agriculture are the main drivers of the Grand Junction economy as thousands of outdoor recreation enthusiasts visit the city each year to hike, bike, camp, and raft in the area, as well as tour the Grand Valley’s fruit orchards and wineries.

Is it expensive to live in Grand Junction, Colorado?

Grand Junction is ranked 80 out of 273 cities across the US in terms of cost of living. The cost of living in Grand Junction is 101.8% of the national average. The median household income in Grand Junction is $58,892, which is 26% less than that of the state. The median income for an individual is $33,637, which is 20% less than that of the state. The average rent in Grand Junction (located in Grand Junction Metro) metro area for a 2-bed home is $1,550, which is 5% more than the average rent across the US. The median home price in Grand Junction is $840,000 with a median price per sqft of $552.

Does it snow in Grand Junction, CO?

The Grand Junction area receives very little snow. This means many popular trails around Grand Junction stay open for hiking and mountain biking all year long. Most days, all you need is sneakers or your favorite pair of hiking boots and a light jacket to enjoy the great outdoors.

Sources

City of Grand Junction

Wikipedia

Colorado Encyclopedia

Flyhomes

Visit Grand Junction

Apex Physical Therapy & Wellness Center

Denver Physical Therapy

BoulderCentre for Orthopedics & Spine

Vitality Physical Therapy

SpineOne

Denver Health Physical Therapy Clinic

Museum of the West, Museums of Western Colorado

Canyon View Park

Eureka! McConnell Science Museum

Grand Junction Motor Speedway
 

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.