Cover - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Aug. 06, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-38377
Entity Registrant Name	COLONY CREDIT REAL ESTATE, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Entity Tax Identification Number	38-4046290
Entity Address, Address Line One	515 S. Flower Street
Entity Address, Address Line Two	44th Floor
Entity Address, City or Town	Los Angeles
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	90071
City Area Code	310
Local Phone Number	282-8820
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	CLNC
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		128,582,965
Entity Central Index Key	0001717547
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2