| **Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Details) (USD $)**    | Jun. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
|------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|---------------|
| Fair Value | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)       |          |          |
| **Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value**                         |          |          |
| Commodity-based derivative - assets                              | $ 21,711,000  | $ 42,788,000  |
| Basis protection derivative - assets                             | 642,000       | 387,000       |
| Total assets                                                     | 22,353,000    | 43,175,000    |
| Commodity-based derivative - liabilities                         | 7,497,000     | 9,839,000     |
| Basis protection derivative - liabilities                        | 2,229,000     | 16,656,000    |
| Total liabilities                                                | 9,726,000     | 26,495,000    |
| Net asset (fair value)                                           | 12,627,000    | 16,680,000    |
| Fair Value | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)           |          |          |
| **Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value**                         |          |          |
| Commodity-based derivative - assets                              | 4,338,000     | 15,734,000    |
| Basis protection derivative - assets                             | 17,000        | 16,000        |
| Total assets                                                     | 4,355,000     | 15,750,000    |
| Commodity-based derivative - liabilities                         | 451,000       | 2,081,000     |
| Basis protection derivative - liabilities                        | 0             | 0             |
| Total liabilities                                                | 451,000       | 2,081,000     |
| Net asset (fair value)                                           | 3,904,000     | 13,669,000    |
| Fair Value | Total                                               |          |          |
| **Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value**                         |          |          |
| Commodity-based derivative - assets                              | 26,049,000    | 58,522,000    |
| Basis protection derivative - assets                             | 659,000       | 403,000       |
| Total assets                                                     | 26,708,000    | 58,925,000    |
| Commodity-based derivative - liabilities                         | 7,948,000     | 11,920,000    |
| Basis protection derivative - liabilities                        | 2,229,000     | 16,656,000    |
| Total liabilities                                                | 10,177,000    | 28,576,000    |
| Net asset (fair value)                                           | 16,531,000    | 30,349,000    |
| 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2016                          |          |          |
| **Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value**                         |          |          |
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage                | 3.25%         |          |
| 3.25% convertible senior notes fair value                        | 160,500,000   |          |
| 3.25% convertible senior notes fair value as a percentage of par | 139.60%       |          |
| 7.75% Senior Notes                                               |          |          |
| **Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value**                         |          |          |
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage                | 7.75%         |          |
| 12% senior notes fair value                                      | $ 519,700,000 |          |
| 12% senior notes fair value as percentage of par                 | 103.90%       |          |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents the fair value of 12% Senior Notes, as a percentage of par value as of the balance sheet date.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pdce_A12SeniorNotesFairValue**Namespace Prefix:**pdce_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents the fair value of 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes, as a percentage of par value as of the balance sheet date.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pdce_A325ConvertibleSeniorNotesFairValue**Namespace Prefix:**pdce_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Fair value as of the balance sheet date of CIG Basis Protection Swaps that are in an asset position.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pdce_BasisProtectionDerivativeAssets**Namespace Prefix:**pdce_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Fair value as of the balance sheet date of CIG Basis Protection Swaps that are in a liability position.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pdce_BasisProtectionDerivativeLiabilities**Namespace Prefix:**pdce_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Fair value as of the balance sheet date of financial instruments consisting of floors, collars, and swaps that are in an asset position.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pdce_CommodityBasedDerivativeAssets**Namespace Prefix:**pdce_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Fair value as of the balance sheet date of financial instruments consisting of floors, collars, and swaps that are in a liability position.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pdce_CommodityBasedDerivativeLiabilities**Namespace Prefix:**pdce_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents the aggregate net assets reported on the balance sheet at period end measured at fair value by the entity. This element is intended to be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pdce_NetAssetFairValue**Namespace Prefix:**pdce_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Fair value portion of probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25499696&loc=d3e19207-110258
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of a written promise to pay a note, initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer, which can be exchanged for a specified amount of one or more securities (typically common stock), at the option of the issuer or the holder.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 9Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 20, 22 -Article 5
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayable**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Fair value of financial and nonfinancial obligations.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25499696&loc=d3e19207-110258
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Fair value portion of notes payable.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 20, 22 -Article 5Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19,20,22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |