| **SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Principal Sources of Change in Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows (Unuadited) (Details) - USD ($)** | 12 Months Ended |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|
||
| **Principal Sources of Change:**                                                                                                                                                            |                 |   |   |   |   |
| Sales of natural gas, NGL and crude oil production, net of production costs                                                                                                                 |                 | $ (387,576,000) | $ (293,127,000) | $ (387,789,000) |   |
| Net changes in prices and production costs                                                                                                                                                  | [1]             | (205,760,000) | (1,752,921,000) | 129,213,000 |   |
| Extensions, discoveries and improved recovery, less related costs                                                                                                                           |                 | 15,128,000 | 489,178,000 | 1,444,581,000 |   |
| Sales of reserves                                                                                                                                                                           |                 | (3,745,000) | (463,000) | (402,595,000) |   |
| Purchases of reserves                                                                                                                                                                       |                 | 487,636,000 | 374,000 | 238,000 |   |
| Development costs incurred during the period                                                                                                                                                |                 | 268,672,000 | 368,840,000 | 161,404,000 |   |
| Revisions of previous quantity estimates                                                                                                                                                    |                 | (320,286,000) | (1,286,462,000) | (654,318,000) |   |
| Changes in estimated income taxes                                                                                                                                                           |                 | (13,630,000) | 902,994,000 | (221,874,000) |   |
| Net change in future development costs                                                                                                                                                      |                 | 391,145,000 | 112,958,000 | 46,499,000 |   |
| Accretion of discount                                                                                                                                                                       |                 | 133,747,000 | 345,007,000 | 270,389,000 |   |
| Timing and other                                                                                                                                                                            |                 | (41,566,000) | (95,979,000) | 138,554,000 |   |
| Total                                                                                                                                                                                       |                 | 1,420,629,000 | 1,096,864,000 | 2,306,465,000 | $ 1,782,163,000 |
| **Notes to Changes in SMOG [Abstract]**                                                                                                                                                     |                 |   |   |   |   |
| Weighted-Average price, net of production cost                                                                                                                                              |                 | $ 15.73 | $ 17.30 | $ 37.78 |   |
|                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| [1]Our weighted-average price, net of production costs per Boe, in our 2016 reserve report decreased to $15.73 as compared to $17.30 for 2015 and $37.78 for 2014                           |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Notes to Changes in SMOG [Abstract]
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pdce_NotesToChangesInSmogAbstract**Namespace Prefix:**pdce_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Weighted-Average price, net of production cost
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pdce_WeightedAveragePriceNetOfProductionCost**Namespace Prefix:**pdce_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of decrease in standardized measure of discounted future net cash flow as a result of sales of minerals in place.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 932 -SubTopic 235 -Section 50 -Paragraph 35 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064819&loc=d3e62500-109447
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_DecreaseDueToSalesOfMineralsInPlace**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_DiscountedFutureNetCashFlowsRelatingToProvedOilAndGasReservesFutureNetCashFlowsAbstract**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of increase (decrease) in standardized measure of discounted future net cash flow as a result of extensions, discoveries and improved recovery of proved oil and gas reserves.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 932 -SubTopic 235 -Section 50 -Paragraph 35 -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064819&loc=d3e62500-109447
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_ExtensionsDiscoveriesAdditionsAndImprovedRecoveryLessRelatedCosts**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of increase (decrease) in standardized measure of discounted future net cash flow as a result of change in estimated future development costs.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 932 -SubTopic 235 -Section 50 -Paragraph 31 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064819&loc=d3e62455-109447Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 932 -SubTopic 235 -Section 50 -Paragraph 35 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064819&loc=d3e62500-109447
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInEstimatedFutureDevelopmentCosts**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of increase (decrease) in standardized measure of discounted future net cash flow as a result of change in the estimated future income tax on future pretax net cash flows related to the entity's proved oil and gas reserves.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 932 -SubTopic 235 -Section 50 -Paragraph 35 -Subparagraph (j) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064819&loc=d3e62500-109447
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFutureIncomeTaxExpenseEstimatesOnFutureCashFlowsRelatedToProvedOilAndGasReserves**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of increase in standardized measure of discounted future net cash flow as a result of purchases of minerals in place.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 932 -SubTopic 235 -Section 50 -Paragraph 35 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064819&loc=d3e62500-109447
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_IncreaseDueToPurchasesOfMineralsInPlace**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of increase (decrease) in standardized measure of discounted future net cash flow as a result of change in sales and transfer prices and in production (lifting) costs related to future production.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 932 -SubTopic 235 -Section 50 -Paragraph 35 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064819&loc=d3e62500-109447
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_NetIncreaseDecreaseInSalesAndTransferPricesAndProductionCosts**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of increase in standardized measure of discounted future net cash flow as a result of previously estimated development costs incurred.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 932 -SubTopic 235 -Section 50 -Paragraph 35 -Subparagraph (g) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064819&loc=d3e62500-109447
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_PreviouslyEstimatedDevelopmentCostsIncurred**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of increase (decrease) in standardized measure of discounted future net cash flow as a result of revisions of estimated quantity of oil and gas in proved reserves.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 932 -SubTopic 235 -Section 50 -Paragraph 35 -Subparagraph (f) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064819&loc=d3e62500-109447
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_RevisionsOfPreviousQuantityEstimates**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of (increase) decrease in standardized measure of discounted future net cash flow as a result of sales and transfers of oil and gas produced.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 932 -SubTopic 235 -Section 50 -Paragraph 35 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064819&loc=d3e62500-109447
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_SalesAndTransfersOfOilAndGasProducedNetOfProductionCosts**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of increase (decrease) in standardized measure of discounted future net cash flow as a result of changes from other sources.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 932 -SubTopic 235 -Section 50 -Paragraph 35 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064819&loc=d3e62500-109447
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_StandardizedMeasureOfDiscountedFutureNetCashFlowOfProvedOilAndGasReservesOther**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of increase (decrease) in standardized measure of discounted future net cash flow relating to proved oil and gas reserves.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 932 -SubTopic 235 -Section 50 -Paragraph 35 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064819&loc=d3e62500-109447
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_StandardizedMeasureOfDiscountedFutureNetCashFlowOfProvedOilAndGasReservesPeriodIncreaseDecrease**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of accretion of discount for the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flow related to proved oil and gas reserves.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 932 -SubTopic 235 -Section 50 -Paragraph 35 -Subparagraph (h) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064819&loc=d3e62500-109447
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_StandardizedMeasureOfDiscountedFutureNetCashFlowRelatingToProvedOilAndGasReservesAccretionOfDiscount**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |