|**SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Prices Used to Estimate Reserves (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($)**                                                                      | Dec. 31, 2016                                                                                                                                                                                         | Dec. 31, 2015                                                                                                                                                                                         | Dec. 31, 2014
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------
|Crude Oil (Bbls)                                                                                                                                                                                          |                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                       |              
|**Schedule of Prices Used to Estimate Reserves [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                       |              
|prices used to estimate oil and gas reserves                                                                                                                                                              | [1]                                                                                                                                                                                                   | $ 38.67                                                                                                                                                                                               | $ 42.10      
|Natural Gas (Mcf)                                                                                                                                                                                         |                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                       |              
|**Schedule of Prices Used to Estimate Reserves [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                       |              
|prices used to estimate oil and gas reserves                                                                                                                                                              | [1]                                                                                                                                                                                                   | 1.85                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 2.05         
|Natural Gas Liquids (Bbls)                                                                                                                                                                                |                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                       |              
|**Schedule of Prices Used to Estimate Reserves [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                       |              
|prices used to estimate oil and gas reserves                                                                                                                                                              | [1]                                                                                                                                                                                                   | $ 11.97                                                                                                                                                                                               | $ 12.23      
|                                                                                                                                                                                                         
|[1]
These prices are based on the index prices and are net of basin differentials, any transportation fees, contractual adjustments, and any Btu adjustments we experienced for the respective commodity. | [1]                                                                                                                                                                                                   | These prices are based on the index prices and are net of basin differentials, any transportation fees, contractual adjustments, and any Btu adjustments we experienced for the respective commodity.
|[1]                                                                                                                                                                                                       | These prices are based on the index prices and are net of basin differentials, any transportation fees, contractual adjustments, and any Btu adjustments we experienced for the respective commodity.

X- Definitionprices used to estimate oil and gas reserves
+ ReferencesNo definition available.
+ Details**Name:**
pdce_PricesUsedToEstimateOilAndGasReserves**Namespace Prefix:**
pdce_**Data Type:**
xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**
debit**Period Type:**
instant X- Definition[Line Items] for Schedule of Prices Used to Estimate Reserves [Table]
+ ReferencesNo definition available.
+ Details**Name:**
pdce_ScheduleOfPricesUsedToEstimateReservesLineItems**Namespace Prefix:**
pdce_**Data Type:**
xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**
na**Period Type:**
duration X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_AverageSalesPriceAndProductionCostsPerUnitOfProductionProductionTypeAxis=us-gaap_CrudeOilMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_AverageSalesPriceAndProductionCostsPerUnitOfProductionProductionTypeAxis=us-gaap_NaturalGasReservesMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_AverageSalesPriceAndProductionCostsPerUnitOfProductionProductionTypeAxis=us-gaap_NaturalGasLiquidsReservesMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:**