 Due to the distances involved, the settlers of eastern Emery County found it difficult to conduct county business in that county's seat.By March 13, 1890 their petitions caused the Utah Territory legislature to designate the eastern portion of the county as a separate entity, to be named Grand County, named for the Grand River (whose name was changed to Colorado River in 1921).The county boundaries were adjusted in 1892 and in 2003.