Utrilla's whereabouts during the winter of 1936-1937 are not clear. In March 1937 he was listed in the official order of the Nationalist high command, already in the regular army service; as comandante retirado he was assigned to head Cuadro Eventual of the 6. Division, to be raised in Granada. His later service record is not known; a press note from late 1937 hailed his contribution to victorious Northern campaign, but provided no details. A contemporary historian speculates that Utrilla served in Jefatura de Milicias, the section of Nationalist general staff entrusted with organization of militia units, formally incorporated into the army but allowed a grade of autonomy. In June 1938 he was – again, following the annulled 1929 elevation – promoted to coronel de caballería. None of the sources consulted provides information on his assignment during final phases of the Civil War.