GOLDEN, Colo. (May 9, 2023) – Julian Joel Rivera (DOB: 8-23-1986) was sentenced to life in prison by the First Judicial District Court on Friday for the murder of twenty-nine-year-old Geronimo Alvarado in Lakewood. On Mar. 14, 2023, after a 5-day jury trial, a Jefferson County jury convicted Rivera of First Degree Murder.
“We thank the Lakewood Police Department for their investigation and the Jefferson County jury for ensuring justice was served in this case,” said Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Rhoads. “Mr. Rivera will spend the rest of his life in prison, and we hope his sentence brings some sense of closure to Mr. Alvarado’s family.”
On Jan. 26, 2021, at approximately 2:45 am, Lakewood Police Agents were dispatched to the Blue Sky Motel on a report of a gunshot wound victim. The victim, Alvarado, had been shot multiple times and was pronounced deceased on scene. Surveillance video showed a male exit a white GMC SUV, knock on the victim’s hotel room door, and spending only a few seconds in the room before shooting Alvarado.
Later that morning, at approximately 9:45 am, the Commerce City Police Department was dispatched to a male with a gunshot wound to the head. In March of 2021, Rivera was charged with Attempted First Degree Murder in Adams County under 21CR851. Rivera has pled not guilty and is presumed innocent. His next court date is May 31, 2023.
Hours later, at approximately 12:00 pm, the Denver Police Department was dispatched to a male with a gunshot wound to the head. In June of 2021, Rivera was charged with First Degree Murder in Denver County under 21CR20004. He has pled not guilty and is presumed innocent. His next court date is May 11, 2023.
Denver Police were later able to identify Rivera and locate the vehicle utilized in the murder of Alvarado. At approximately 7:00 pm, after a short pursuit, a vehicle driven by Rivera was incapacitated by “stop sticks” and “pit” maneuvers in Castle Rock. Rivera was taken into custody and has remained in custody since.