New Mexico Eleventh Judicial District Court, Division IV
Background Curtis R. Gurley is a district court judge in Division IV of the New Mexico Eleventh Judicial District Court. He presides over general jurisdiction cases including criminal, civil, family, and domestic matters. He previously served as Chief Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District.
Prior Experience Gurley practiced law for many years at the Law Offices of Curtis R. Gurley in the Farmington/Aztec area before taking the bench.
Appointment & Current Role A registered Republican, he was appointed to the bench in April 2019 by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
- In August 2024, he sentenced brothers Eli and Tyler Chaffin in the killing of a San Juan County man. He accepted pleas and sentenced Eli to six years and Tyler to 15 years (with one year suspended) on second-degree murder and related charges. The hearing was described as contentious.
- He imposed the maximum sentence of 10.5 years in the Clinton Ferrier burglary case after a guilty verdict.
- In 2025, he presided over a hearing involving a former Farmington businesswoman facing human trafficking charges; the hearing was delayed due to technology issues in Aztec court.
- In 2024, he ordered an alleged domestic abuser held without bail in a severe case involving an infant.
- In 2026, he dismissed a complaint challenging GOP gubernatorial candidate Duke Rodriguez’s eligibility, stating that disputes should be settled at the ballot box.
Election Status He has been retained by voters. His current term expires on December 31, 2026.
Sources / Links:
- Eleventh Judicial District Court Judges: https://eleventhdistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/district-courts/san-juan-county-aztec-farmington-district-court/
- Tri-City Record (various cases): https://www.tricityrecordnm.com/
- NM JPEC Evaluations and court dockets




















































