He began his work in the public sector when in 1831 was commissioned to write El Constitucional, of Cundinamarca, by appointment of President José María Obando.

In the journalistic field he was a collaborator of Archbishop Manuel José Mosquera in the writing of the newspaper El Catolicismo, in addition to founding La Unidad Católica in 1869.

This included sections on "moral thoughts on work" "domestic economy: duties of the husband and wife", "Physical education in infancy", "Professors of art and crafts".

In this situation, Gutiérrez fled and hid in the French embassy, the place where he assumed the Headship of State, in accordance with the 1858 Constitution, being the oldest minister.

On one occasion Mosquera sent him to say that 'although as provisional president he had ordered him to be arrested and shot, as a friend and relative he offered him a safe asylum in his home', to which Gutiérrez replied: I do not doubt the sincerity of the gentleman; but two wardens cannot live in the same fortress.