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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 EuCk+meNmTJnc7R+ZI5ep9XIRlYDRbbPPOB6IdMKqqf98e80+3YQJr317Afhqwjo
 nJOgaY4q/8Hhr2xQA0IvAQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001186064-08-000012.txt : 20080516
<SEC-HEADER>0001186064-08-000012.hdr.sgml : 20080516
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080516150113
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001186064-08-000012
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080515
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080516
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080516

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CLECO CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001089819
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911]
		IRS NUMBER:				721445282
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			LA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2030 DONAHUE FERRY ROAD
		CITY:			PINEVILLE
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			71360-5226
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3184847400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 5000
		CITY:			PINEVILLE
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			71361-5000

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CLECO HOLDING CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19990630

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RATCLIFF ROBERT T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001186064

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15759
		FILM NUMBER:		08841953

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PINEVILLE GENERAL OFFICE
		STREET 2:		2030 DONAHUE FERRY RD PO BOX 5000
		CITY:			PINEVILLE
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			71361-5000
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>f4rtr_051608.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-05-15</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001089819</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CLECO CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CNL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001186064</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RATCLIFF ROBERT T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>P.O. BOX 5000</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PINEVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>LA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>71361-5000</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $1.00 par</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>16060.022</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-05-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>52</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>24.73</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock, $1.00 par</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>52</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5678.884</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The shares of phantom stock relate to dividend reinvestment on shares of phantom stock pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Cleco Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan (the &quot;Plan&quot;).  The reporting person has elected to defer receipt of these shares under the Plan.  Each share of phantom stock is the economic equivalent of one share of Cleco Corporation common stock.  Shares of phantom stock may be transferred by the reporting person into an alternative investment account in the Plan at any time pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes 168 shares of phantom stock (not subject to restrictions) related to dividend reinvestment on shares of phantom stock pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Plan.  Includes (a) 1,846 shares of phantom stock subject to restrictions that lapse on January 26, 2013; and (b) 2,140 shares of phantom stock subject to restrictions that lapse on January 25, 2014.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Judy P. Miller, Atty-in-fact for Robert T. Ratcliff, Sr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-05-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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