Redlands View near the West (Fruita) Entrance to Colorado National Monument. Colorado National Monument is located on the south side of the Grand Valley. In the early days of the American West, the Colorado River was originally named the Grand River (hence the name of the Grand Valley near Grand Junction, Colorado). This view shows barren sedimentary strata dipping gently beneath the alluvial sediments of flood plain of the Colorado River. Along the distant horizon are the hills and mountains on the north side of the Grand Valley. The Grand Valley is an important agricultural region of Western Colorado, having a relatively low elevation relative to the high plateaus and mountains of the surrounding region. It is also a major transportation corridor with both major rail lines and an interstate highway (I-70).