His term began on 2 January 1836, succeeding acting (ad interim) governor José Castro, and Gutiérrez served as governor ad interim until the arrival of official appointee Mariano Chico.
Chico, however, was dismissed for abandoning his post, and Gutiérrez returned to the job in July.
Gutierrez himself was ousted in a coup led by Californios Juan Bautista Alvarado and José Castro, assisted by a group of foreigners led by Isaac Graham, on 5 November 1836.
[citation needed] The battle was short and surrender was secured after the firing of just one artillery round at the governor's residence in Monterey.
Gutierrez and his cadre of officers were detained at Cabo San Lucas on the English brig Clementine before returning to Mexico.