José Eliseo Payán Hurtado (August 1, 1825 – June 30, 1895) was a Colombian lawyer, politician, and military officer.

Payán studied in the Colegio Santa Librada, in Cali, and later graduated as a lawyer,[1] profession he practiced mostly in the city of Buga along with commerce and other administrative jobs.

He also founded the Democratic Society of Buga and produced a newspaper, El Sentimiento Democrático, with the help of Manuel Antonio Scarpetta and Ramón Mercado.

Governor Garcés was deposed, and Payan gave control to a civilian, Ezequiel Hurtado, who was then elected as President of the State of Cauca.

In 1885, Payán joins the forces of conservative President Rafael Núñez in the Civil War against the liberal rebels.