|**Reconciliation of Level 3 Fair Value Measurements (Details) (Derivative Financial Instrument Net Assets, USD $)In Thousands, unless otherwise specified** | 3 Months Ended                                                                                                                          | 9 Months Ended                                                                                                                         
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|**Roll-forward of Level 3 Assets**                                                                                                                          |                                                                                                                                         |                                                                                                                                        
|Fair Value, net assets, beginning of period                                                                                                                 | $ 3,904                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                        
|Fair Value, net assets, end of period                                                                                                                       | 732                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                        
|Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets (liabilities) still held as of period end, included in statement of operations line item;           | (3,338)                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                        
|Commodity Price Risk Management (loss), net                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                         |                                                                                                                                        
|**Roll-forward of Level 3 Assets**                                                                                                                          |                                                                                                                                         |                                                                                                                                        
|Changes in fair value included in statement of operations line item:                                                                                        | (3,111)                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                        
|Settlements included in statement of operations line items:                                                                                                 | (66)                                                                                                                                    |                                                                                                                                        
|Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets (liabilities) still held as of period end, included in statement of operations line item;           | (3,333)                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                        
|Sales From Natural Gas Marketing                                                                                                                            |                                                                                                                                         |                                                                                                                                        
|**Roll-forward of Level 3 Assets**                                                                                                                          |                                                                                                                                         |                                                                                                                                        
|Changes in fair value included in statement of operations line item:                                                                                        | 11                                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                        
|Settlements included in statement of operations line items:                                                                                                 | (6)                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                        
|Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets (liabilities) still held as of period end, included in statement of operations line item;           | (5)                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                        
|Accounts Payable Affiliates                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                         |                                                                                                                                        
|**Roll-forward of Level 3 Assets**                                                                                                                          |                                                                                                                                         |                                                                                                                                        
|Changes in fair value Included in blance sheet line item:                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                                                       | [1]                                                                                                                                    
|Income (loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                         |                                                                                                                                        
|**Roll-forward of Level 3 Assets**                                                                                                                          |                                                                                                                                         |                                                                                                                                        
|Settlements included in statement of operations line items:                                                                                                 | $ 0                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                        
|                                                                                                                                                           
|[1]
              Represents the change in fair value related to derivative instruments entered into by us and designated to our affiliated partnerships.   | [1]                                                                                                                                     | Represents the change in fair value related to derivative instruments entered into by us and designated to our affiliated partnerships.
|[1]                                                                                                                                                         | Represents the change in fair value related to derivative instruments entered into by us and designated to our affiliated partnerships.

X- DefinitionChanges in Fair Value, Balance Sheet Line Item+ ReferencesNo definition available.+ Details**Name:**
                    pdce_ChangesInFairValueBalanceSheetLineItem**Namespace Prefix:**
                    pdce_**Data Type:**
                    xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**
                    debit**Period Type:**
                    duration X- DefinitionFair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Net Asset, Period Increase (Decrease).+ ReferencesNo definition available.+ Details**Name:**
                    pdce_ChangesInUnrealizedGainsLossesRelatingToAssetsLiabilitiesStillHeldAsOfPeriodEndIncludedInStatementOfOperationsLineItem**Namespace Prefix:**
                    pdce_**Data Type:**
                    xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**
                    na**Period Type:**
                    duration X- DefinitionThis 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.+ ReferencesNo definition available.+ Details**Name:**
                    pdce_FairValueMeasuredWithUnobservableInputReconcilitionRecurringBasisNetAssetValue**Namespace Prefix:**
                    pdce_**Data Type:**
                    xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**
                    na**Period Type:**
                    instant X- DefinitionAmount 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).+ ReferencesNo definition available.+ Details**Name:**
                    pdce_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisNetAssetPurchasesSalesIssuesSettlements**Namespace Prefix:**
                    pdce_**Data Type:**
                    xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**
                    na**Period Type:**
                    duration X- DefinitionDescription 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.+ ReferencesNo 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