| **Fair Value of Derivative and Balance Sheet Location (Details) (USD $)In Thousands, unless otherwise specified** | Mar. 31, 2015                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | Dec. 31, 2014                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Derivatives, Fair Value**                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset                                                                         | $ 316,394us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset                                                                                                                                                                                                      | $ 300,314us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability                                                                 | 616us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability                                                                                                                                                                                                        | 767us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Current Assets                                                                                                    |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Derivatives, Fair Value**                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset                                                                         | 203,869us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_CurrentAssetsMember                                                                                                                                            | 187,495us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_CurrentAssetsMember                                                                                                                                             |
| Non Current Assets                                                                                                |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Derivatives, Fair Value**                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset                                                                         | 112,525us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_NonCurrentAssetsMember                                                                                                                                         | 112,819us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_NonCurrentAssetsMember                                                                                                                                          |
| Current Liabilities                                                                                               |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Derivatives, Fair Value**                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability                                                                 | 404us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_CurrentLiabilitiesMember                                                                                                                                       | 570us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_CurrentLiabilitiesMember                                                                                                                                        |
| Non Current Liabilities                                                                                           |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Derivatives, Fair Value**                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability                                                                 | 212us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_NonCurrentLiabilitiesMember                                                                                                                                    | 197us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_NonCurrentLiabilitiesMember                                                                                                                                     |
| Commodity Contracts Related to Natural Gas and Crude Oil Sales | Current Assets                                   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Derivatives, Fair Value**                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Fair Value of Derivatives                                                                                         | 202,853us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_CurrentAssetsMember/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= pdce_CommodityContractsRelatedToNaturalGasAndCrudeOilSalesMember        | 186,886us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_CurrentAssetsMember/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= pdce_CommodityContractsRelatedToNaturalGasAndCrudeOilSalesMember         |
| Commodity Contracts Related to Natural Gas and Crude Oil Sales | Non Current Assets                               |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Derivatives, Fair Value**                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Fair Value of Derivatives                                                                                         | 111,994us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_NonCurrentAssetsMember/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= pdce_CommodityContractsRelatedToNaturalGasAndCrudeOilSalesMember     | 112,599us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_NonCurrentAssetsMember/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= pdce_CommodityContractsRelatedToNaturalGasAndCrudeOilSalesMember      |
| Commodity Contracts Related to Natural Gas and Crude Oil Sales | Non Current Liabilities                          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Derivatives, Fair Value**                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Fair Value of Derivatives                                                                                         | 25us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_NonCurrentLiabilitiesMember/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= pdce_CommodityContractsRelatedToNaturalGasAndCrudeOilSalesMember     | 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_NonCurrentLiabilitiesMember/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= pdce_CommodityContractsRelatedToNaturalGasAndCrudeOilSalesMember       |
| Commodity Contracts Related to Natural Gas Marketing | Current Assets                                             |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Derivatives, Fair Value**                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Fair Value of Derivatives                                                                                         | 435us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_CurrentAssetsMember/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= pdce_CommodityContractsRelatedToNaturalGasMarketingMember                   | 590us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_CurrentAssetsMember/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= pdce_CommodityContractsRelatedToNaturalGasMarketingMember                    |
| Commodity Contracts Related to Natural Gas Marketing | Non Current Assets                                         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Derivatives, Fair Value**                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Fair Value of Derivatives                                                                                         | 205us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_NonCurrentAssetsMember/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= pdce_CommodityContractsRelatedToNaturalGasMarketingMember                | 220us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_NonCurrentAssetsMember/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= pdce_CommodityContractsRelatedToNaturalGasMarketingMember                 |
| Commodity Contracts Related to Natural Gas Marketing | Current Liabilities                                        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Derivatives, Fair Value**                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Fair Value of Derivatives                                                                                         | 404us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_CurrentLiabilitiesMember/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= pdce_CommodityContractsRelatedToNaturalGasMarketingMember              | 545us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_CurrentLiabilitiesMember/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= pdce_CommodityContractsRelatedToNaturalGasMarketingMember               |
| Commodity Contracts Related to Natural Gas Marketing | Non Current Liabilities                                    |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Derivatives, Fair Value**                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Fair Value of Derivatives                                                                                         | 187us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_NonCurrentLiabilitiesMember/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= pdce_CommodityContractsRelatedToNaturalGasMarketingMember           | 197us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_NonCurrentLiabilitiesMember/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= pdce_CommodityContractsRelatedToNaturalGasMarketingMember            |
| Basis Protection Contracts Related to Natural Gas and Crude Oil Sales | Current Assets                            |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Derivatives, Fair Value**                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Fair Value of Derivatives                                                                                         | 581us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_CurrentAssetsMember/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= pdce_BasisProtectionContractsRelatedToNaturalGasAndCrudeOilSalesMember      | 19us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_CurrentAssetsMember/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= pdce_BasisProtectionContractsRelatedToNaturalGasAndCrudeOilSalesMember        |
| Basis Protection Contracts Related to Natural Gas and Crude Oil Sales | Non Current Assets                        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Derivatives, Fair Value**                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Fair Value of Derivatives                                                                                         | 326us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_NonCurrentAssetsMember/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= pdce_BasisProtectionContractsRelatedToNaturalGasAndCrudeOilSalesMember   | 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_NonCurrentAssetsMember/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= pdce_BasisProtectionContractsRelatedToNaturalGasAndCrudeOilSalesMember      |
| Basis Protection Contracts Related to Natural Gas and Crude Oil Sales | Current Liabilities                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Derivatives, Fair Value**                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Fair Value of Derivatives                                                                                         | $ 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_CurrentLiabilitiesMember/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= pdce_BasisProtectionContractsRelatedToNaturalGasAndCrudeOilSalesMember | $ 25us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis= pdce_CurrentLiabilitiesMember/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= pdce_BasisProtectionContractsRelatedToNaturalGasAndCrudeOilSalesMember |

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|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets elected not to be offset. Excludes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34720828&loc=SL20225862-175312Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4B -Subparagraph (a),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5624163-113959Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36459792&loc=SL20226000-175313
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|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities elected not to be offset. Excludes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34720828&loc=SL20225862-175312Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4B -Subparagraph (a),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5624163-113959Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36459792&loc=SL20226000-175313
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|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Fair value as of the balance sheet date of derivative instrument not designated as hedging instrument and classified as an asset.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4B -Subparagraph (c)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5624163-113959
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