| **Reconciliation of Level 3 Fair Value Measurements (Details) (Derivative Financial Instrument Net Assets, USD $)In Thousands, unless otherwise specified** | 3 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
||
| **Roll-forward of Level 3 Assets**                                                                                                                          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |   |
| Fair Value, net assets, beginning of period                                                                                                                 | $ 62,356pdce_FairValueMeasuredWithUnobservableInputReconcilitionRecurringBasisNetAssetValue                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | $ 1,111pdce_FairValueMeasuredWithUnobservableInputReconcilitionRecurringBasisNetAssetValue |
| Fair Value, net assets, end of period                                                                                                                       | 74,817pdce_FairValueMeasuredWithUnobservableInputReconcilitionRecurringBasisNetAssetValue                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | (129)pdce_FairValueMeasuredWithUnobservableInputReconcilitionRecurringBasisNetAssetValue |
| Net change in fair value of unsettled derivatives included in statement of operations line item                                                             | 14,494pdce_ChangesInUnrealizedGainsLossesRelatingToAssetsLiabilitiesStillHeldAsOfPeriodEndIncludedInStatementOfOperationsLineItem                                                                                                                                                                                    | (1,478)pdce_ChangesInUnrealizedGainsLossesRelatingToAssetsLiabilitiesStillHeldAsOfPeriodEndIncludedInStatementOfOperationsLineItem |
| Commodity Price Risk Management (loss), net                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |   |
| **Roll-forward of Level 3 Assets**                                                                                                                          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |   |
| Changes in fair value included in statement of operations line item:                                                                                        | 15,189pdce_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisNetAssetsGainLossIncludedInEarnings/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis= pdce_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentNetAssetsMember/ pdce_IncomeStatementAndBalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_CommodityPriceRiskManagementNetMember              | (1,343)pdce_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisNetAssetsGainLossIncludedInEarnings/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis= pdce_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentNetAssetsMember/ pdce_IncomeStatementAndBalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_CommodityPriceRiskManagementNetMember |
| Settlements included in statement of operations line items:                                                                                                 | (2,725)pdce_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisNetAssetPurchasesSalesIssuesSettlements/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis= pdce_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentNetAssetsMember/ pdce_IncomeStatementAndBalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_CommodityPriceRiskManagementNetMember         | 119pdce_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisNetAssetPurchasesSalesIssuesSettlements/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis= pdce_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentNetAssetsMember/ pdce_IncomeStatementAndBalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_CommodityPriceRiskManagementNetMember |
| Net change in fair value of unsettled derivatives included in statement of operations line item                                                             | 14,494pdce_ChangesInUnrealizedGainsLossesRelatingToAssetsLiabilitiesStillHeldAsOfPeriodEndIncludedInStatementOfOperationsLineItem/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis= pdce_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentNetAssetsMember/ pdce_IncomeStatementAndBalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_CommodityPriceRiskManagementNetMember | (1,473)pdce_ChangesInUnrealizedGainsLossesRelatingToAssetsLiabilitiesStillHeldAsOfPeriodEndIncludedInStatementOfOperationsLineItem/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis= pdce_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentNetAssetsMember/ pdce_IncomeStatementAndBalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_CommodityPriceRiskManagementNetMember |
| Sales From Natural Gas Marketing                                                                                                                            |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |   |
| **Roll-forward of Level 3 Assets**                                                                                                                          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |   |
| Changes in fair value included in statement of operations line item:                                                                                        | 1pdce_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisNetAssetsGainLossIncludedInEarnings/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis= pdce_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentNetAssetsMember/ pdce_IncomeStatementAndBalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_SalesFromNaturalGasMarketingMember                      | (22)pdce_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisNetAssetsGainLossIncludedInEarnings/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis= pdce_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentNetAssetsMember/ pdce_IncomeStatementAndBalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_SalesFromNaturalGasMarketingMember |
| Settlements included in statement of operations line items:                                                                                                 | (4)pdce_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisNetAssetPurchasesSalesIssuesSettlements/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis= pdce_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentNetAssetsMember/ pdce_IncomeStatementAndBalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_SalesFromNaturalGasMarketingMember                | 6pdce_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisNetAssetPurchasesSalesIssuesSettlements/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis= pdce_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentNetAssetsMember/ pdce_IncomeStatementAndBalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_SalesFromNaturalGasMarketingMember |
| Net change in fair value of unsettled derivatives included in statement of operations line item                                                             | $ 0pdce_ChangesInUnrealizedGainsLossesRelatingToAssetsLiabilitiesStillHeldAsOfPeriodEndIncludedInStatementOfOperationsLineItem/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis= pdce_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentNetAssetsMember/ pdce_IncomeStatementAndBalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_SalesFromNaturalGasMarketingMember       | $ (5)pdce_ChangesInUnrealizedGainsLossesRelatingToAssetsLiabilitiesStillHeldAsOfPeriodEndIncludedInStatementOfOperationsLineItem/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis= pdce_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentNetAssetsMember/ pdce_IncomeStatementAndBalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_SalesFromNaturalGasMarketingMember |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Net Asset, Period Increase (Decrease).
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pdce_ChangesInUnrealizedGainsLossesRelatingToAssetsLiabilitiesStillHeldAsOfPeriodEndIncludedInStatementOfOperationsLineItem**Namespace Prefix:**pdce_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents net assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pdce_FairValueMeasuredWithUnobservableInputReconcilitionRecurringBasisNetAssetValue**Namespace Prefix:**pdce_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of purchases, sales, issues, and settlements (net) which have taken place in relation to net assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (level 3).
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pdce_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisNetAssetPurchasesSalesIssuesSettlements**Namespace Prefix:**pdce_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Description of where the gain (loss), arising from net assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (level 3), is to be recognized in earnings.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pdce_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisNetAssetsGainLossIncludedInEarnings**Namespace Prefix:**pdce_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**pdce_IncomeStatementAndBalanceSheetLocationAxis=pdce_CommodityPriceRiskManagementNetMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                               |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**pdce_IncomeStatementAndBalanceSheetLocationAxis=pdce_SalesFromNaturalGasMarketingMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |