Chaves County is a county in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2010 census, the population was 65,645. Its county seat is Roswell. Chaves County was named for Colonel Jose Francisco Chaves, a military leader here during the U.S. Civil War and later in Navajo campaigns. Created by Territorial Legislature, February 25, 1889, out of land from the county of Lincoln.Chaves County comprises the Roswell, NM Micropolitan Statistical Area.GeographyAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and (0.2%) is water. It is the fourth-largest county in New Mexico by area.Adjacent counties De Baca County - north Roosevelt County - northeast Lea County - east Eddy County - south Otero County - southwest Lincoln County - westNational protected areasBitter Lake National Wildlife RefugeLincoln National Forest (part)