| **Reconciliation of Level 3 Fair Value Measurements (Details) (Derivative Financial Instrument Net Assets [Member], USD $)In Thousands, unless otherwise specified** | 9 Months Ended |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|
||
| **Fair Value, Net Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]**                                                |           |  |   |  |
| Fair Value, net assets, beginning of period                                                                                                                          | $ 22,107       |  | $ 10,762 |  |
| Fair Value, net assets, end of period                                                                                                                                | 15,538         |  | 23,463 |  |
| Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets (liabilities) still held as of period end, included in statement of operations line item;                    | 2,576          |  | 9,970 |  |
| Commodity Price Risk Management, net [Member]                                                                                                                        |           |  |   |  |
| **Fair Value, Net Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]**                                                |           |  |   |  |
| Changes in fair value included in statement of operations line item:                                                                                                 | 6,098          |  | 15,285 |  |
| Settlements included in statement of operations line items:                                                                                                          | (12,357)       |  | (2,022) |  |
| Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets (liabilities) still held as of period end, included in statement of operations line item;                    | 2,577          |  | 9,974 |  |
| Sales From Natural Gas Marketing [Member]                                                                                                                            |           |  |   |  |
| **Fair Value, Net Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]**                                                |           |  |   |  |
| Changes in fair value included in statement of operations line item:                                                                                                 | 35             |  | 51 |  |
| Settlements included in statement of operations line items:                                                                                                          | (105)          |  | (94) |  |
| Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets (liabilities) still held as of period end, included in statement of operations line item;                    | (1)            |  | (4) |  |
| Accounts Payable Affiliates [Member]                                                                                                                                 |           |  |   |  |
| **Fair Value, Net Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]**                                                |           |  |   |  |
| Changes in Fair Value Included in Balance Sheet Line Item                                                                                                            | (240)          | [1] | (568) | [1] |
| Accounts Receivable Affiliates [Member]                                                                                                                              |           |  |   |  |
| **Fair Value, Net Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]**                                                |           |  |   |  |
| Changes in Fair Value Included in Balance Sheet Line Item                                                                                                            | $ 0            | [1] | $ 49 | [1] |
|                                                                                                                                                                      |
| [1](1)Represents the change in fair value related to derivative instruments entered into by us and designated to our affiliated partnerships.                        |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Changes in Fair Value Included in Balance Sheet Line Item.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pdce_ChangesInFairValueIncludedInBalanceSheetLineItem**Namespace Prefix:**pdce_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Net Asset, Period Increase (Decrease).
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pdce_ChangesInUnrealizedGainsLossesRelatingToAssetsLiabilitiesStillHeldAsOfPeriodEndIncludedInStatementOfOperationsLineItem**Namespace Prefix:**pdce_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This 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.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pdce_FairValueMeasuredWithUnobservableInputReconcilitionRecurringBasisNetAssetValue**Namespace Prefix:**pdce_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount 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).
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pdce_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisNetAssetPurchasesSalesIssuesSettlements**Namespace Prefix:**pdce_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Description 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.
+ References
No 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 |