<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <Version>2.4.0.6</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>479</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>611</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>131</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>13</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information Document Document</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformationDocumentDocument</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information Document Document</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Audited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsAudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Audited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations (Audited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsAudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations (Audited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Audited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsAudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Audited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Equity (Statement)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfEquityStatement</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statement of Equity (Statement)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndBasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/RecentAccountingStandards</Role>
      <ShortName>RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsAndDisclosures</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - CONCENTRATION OF RISK</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/ConcentrationOfRisk</Role>
      <ShortName>CONCENTRATION OF RISK</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/PropertiesAndEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/LongTermDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM DEBT</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/AssetRetirementObligations</Role>
      <ShortName>ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/CommonStock</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMON STOCK</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - ASSETS HELD FOR SALE, DIVESTITURES AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/AssetsHeldForSaleDivestituresAndDiscontinuedOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>ASSETS HELD FOR SALE, DIVESTITURES AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - ACQUISITIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/Acquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>ACQUISITIONS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - NONCONTROLLING INTEREST</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/NoncontrollingInterest</Role>
      <ShortName>NONCONTROLLING INTEREST</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118100 - Disclosure - TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/TransactionsWithAffiliatesAndOtherRelatedParties</Role>
      <ShortName>TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2119100 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/BusinessSegments</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENTS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2120100 - Disclosure - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>SUBSEQUENT EVENTS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2121100 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/SupplementalInformationNaturalGasAndCrudeOilProperties</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2122100 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/SupplementalInformationQuarterlyFinancialInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2202201 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302302 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURES Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsAndDisclosuresFairValueMeasurementsAndDisclosuresTables</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURES Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - CONCENTRATION OF RISK Accounts Receivable, net of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/ConcentrationOfRiskAccountsReceivableNetOfAllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>CONCENTRATION OF RISK Accounts Receivable, net of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT Properties and Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/PropertiesAndEquipmentPropertiesAndEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT Properties and Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/IncomeTaxesIncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/LongTermDebtLongTermDebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM DEBT LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/AssetRetirementObligationsAssetRetirementObligationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contigencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesCommitmentsAndContigenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contigencies (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK Common Stock (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/CommonStockCommonStockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMON STOCK Common Stock (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2314301 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2315301 - Disclosure - ASSETS HELD FOR SALE, DIVESTITURES AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Assets Held for Sale, Divestitures and Discontinued Operations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/AssetsHeldForSaleDivestituresAndDiscontinuedOperationsAssetsHeldForSaleDivestituresAndDiscontinuedOperationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>ASSETS HELD FOR SALE, DIVESTITURES AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Assets Held for Sale, Divestitures and Discontinued Operations (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - ACQUISITIONS Acquisitions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/AcquisitionsAcquisitionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>ACQUISITIONS Acquisitions (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2318301 - Disclosure - TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES Transactions with Affiliates and Other Related Parties (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/TransactionsWithAffiliatesAndOtherRelatedPartiesTransactionsWithAffiliatesAndOtherRelatedPartiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES Transactions with Affiliates and Other Related Parties (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2319301 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENTS Business Segments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/BusinessSegmentsBusinessSegmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENTS Business Segments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2321301 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Supplemental Information on Natural Gas and Crude Oil Exploration, Development and Production Activities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/SupplementalInformationNaturalGasAndCrudeOilPropertiesSupplementalInformationOnNaturalGasAndCrudeOilExplorationDevelopmentAndProductionActivitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Supplemental Information on Natural Gas and Crude Oil Exploration, Development and Production Activities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401401 - Disclosure - NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndBasisOfPresentationAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402403 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Detail (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetailDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Detail (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURES Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsAndDisclosuresFairValueMeasurementsAndDisclosuresDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURES Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403403 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURES Reconciliation of Level 3 Fair Value Measurements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsAndDisclosuresReconciliationOfLevel3FairValueMeasurementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURES Reconciliation of Level 3 Fair Value Measurements (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Fair Value of Derivative and Balance Sheet Location (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsFairValueOfDerivativeAndBalanceSheetLocationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Fair Value of Derivative and Balance Sheet Location (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404403 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Impact of Derivative Instruments on Statement of Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsImpactOfDerivativeInstrumentsOnStatementOfOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Impact of Derivative Instruments on Statement of Operations (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404404 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - CONCENTRATION OF RISK Accounts Receivable, Net of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/ConcentrationOfRiskAccountsReceivableNetOfAllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CONCENTRATION OF RISK Accounts Receivable, Net of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405403 - Disclosure - CONCENTRATION OF RISK Customer Constituting 10% or more of Total Revenue (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/ConcentrationOfRiskCustomerConstituting10OrMoreOfTotalRevenueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CONCENTRATION OF RISK Customer Constituting 10% or more of Total Revenue (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405404 - Disclosure - CONCENTRATION OF RISK Derivative Counterparties (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/ConcentrationOfRiskDerivativeCounterpartiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CONCENTRATION OF RISK Derivative Counterparties (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT Properties and Equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/PropertiesAndEquipmentPropertiesAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT Properties and Equipment (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406403 - Disclosure - PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT Impairment of Natural Gas and Crude Oil Properties (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/PropertiesAndEquipmentImpairmentOfNaturalGasAndCrudeOilPropertiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT Impairment of Natural Gas and Crude Oil Properties (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406404 - Disclosure - PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT Suspended Exploratory Well Costs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/PropertiesAndEquipmentSuspendedExploratoryWellCostsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT Suspended Exploratory Well Costs (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES Provision for Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/IncomeTaxesProvisionForIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES Provision for Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES Reconciliation of Statutory Rate to Effective Rate (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/IncomeTaxesReconciliationOfStatutoryRateToEffectiveRateDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES Reconciliation of Statutory Rate to Effective Rate (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407404 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES Tax Effects of Temporary differences that Give Rise to Significant Portions of the Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/IncomeTaxesTaxEffectsOfTemporaryDifferencesThatGiveRiseToSignificantPortionsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES Tax Effects of Temporary differences that Give Rise to Significant Portions of the Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407405 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/IncomeTaxesUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407406 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/IncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT SCHEDULE OF LONG-TERM DEBT (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/LongTermDebtScheduleOfLongTermDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM DEBT SCHEDULE OF LONG-TERM DEBT (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408403 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/LongTermDebtAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM DEBT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS Asset Retirement Obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/AssetRetirementObligationsAssetRetirementObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS Asset Retirement Obligations (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410401 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Employee Benefit Plan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansEmployeeBenefitPlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Employee Benefit Plan (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contigencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesCommitmentsAndContigenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contigencies (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411403 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Minimum Lease Payments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesMinimumLeasePaymentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Minimum Lease Payments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411404 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Additional information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Additional information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412402 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK Stockholders' Equity Note (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/CommonStockStockholdersEquityNoteDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMON STOCK Stockholders' Equity Note (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412403 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK Stock based compensation plans (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/CommonStockStockBasedCompensationPlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMON STOCK Stock based compensation plans (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412404 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK Stocked Based Compensation Summary (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/CommonStockStockedBasedCompensationSummaryDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMON STOCK Stocked Based Compensation Summary (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412405 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK Schedule of Changes in Stock Option Awards (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/CommonStockScheduleOfChangesInStockOptionAwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMON STOCK Schedule of Changes in Stock Option Awards (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412406 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK SARs Fair Value Assumptions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/CommonStockSarsFairValueAssumptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMON STOCK SARs Fair Value Assumptions (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412407 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK Schedule of Changes in SARs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/CommonStockScheduleOfChangesInSarsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMON STOCK Schedule of Changes in SARs (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412408 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK Schedule of Changes in Restricted Stock - TIme Based Awards (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/CommonStockScheduleOfChangesInRestrictedStockTimeBasedAwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMON STOCK Schedule of Changes in Restricted Stock - TIme Based Awards (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412409 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK Restricted Stock - Market Based Awards Fair Value Assumptions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/CommonStockRestrictedStockMarketBasedAwardsFairValueAssumptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMON STOCK Restricted Stock - Market Based Awards Fair Value Assumptions (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412410 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK Schedule of Changes in Restricted Stock - Market Based Awards (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/CommonStockScheduleOfChangesInRestrictedStockMarketBasedAwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMON STOCK Schedule of Changes in Restricted Stock - Market Based Awards (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412411 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK Treasury Shares (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/CommonStockTreasurySharesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMON STOCK Treasury Shares (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412412 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK Preferred Stock (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/CommonStockPreferredStockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMON STOCK Preferred Stock (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414402 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE Earnings Per Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/EarningsPerShareEarningsPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE Earnings Per Share (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415402 - Disclosure - ASSETS HELD FOR SALE, DIVESTITURES AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/AssetsHeldForSaleDivestituresAndDiscontinuedOperationsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>ASSETS HELD FOR SALE, DIVESTITURES AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415403 - Disclosure - ASSETS HELD FOR SALE, DIVESTITURES AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/AssetsHeldForSaleDivestituresAndDiscontinuedOperationsDiscontinuedOperationsAndDisposalGroupsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>ASSETS HELD FOR SALE, DIVESTITURES AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - ACQUISITIONS Total Identifiable Net Assets Acquired (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/AcquisitionsTotalIdentifiableNetAssetsAcquiredDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>ACQUISITIONS Total Identifiable Net Assets Acquired (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416403 - Disclosure - ACQUISITIONS Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/AcquisitionsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>ACQUISITIONS Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416404 - Disclosure - ACQUISITIONS Pro Forma Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/AcquisitionsProFormaInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>ACQUISITIONS Pro Forma Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417401 - Disclosure - NONCONTROLLING INTEREST Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/NoncontrollingInterestAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>NONCONTROLLING INTEREST Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418402 - Disclosure - TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES Transactions with Affiliates and Other Related Parties (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/TransactionsWithAffiliatesAndOtherRelatedPartiesTransactionsWithAffiliatesAndOtherRelatedPartiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES Transactions with Affiliates and Other Related Parties (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418403 - Disclosure - TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/TransactionsWithAffiliatesAndOtherRelatedPartiesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419402 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENTS Business segments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/BusinessSegmentsBusinessSegmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENTS Business segments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419403 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENTS Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/BusinessSegmentsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENTS Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R91.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420401 - Disclosure - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/SubsequentEventsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R92.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421402 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Prices Used to Estimate Reserves (Unaudited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/SupplementalInformationNaturalGasAndCrudeOilPropertiesPricesUsedToEstimateReservesUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Prices Used to Estimate Reserves (Unaudited) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R93.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421403 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Changes in Estimated Proved Reserves (Unaudited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/SupplementalInformationNaturalGasAndCrudeOilPropertiesChangesInEstimatedProvedReservesUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Changes in Estimated Proved Reserves (Unaudited) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R94.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421404 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Schedule of Developed and Undeveloped Reserves (Unaudited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/SupplementalInformationNaturalGasAndCrudeOilPropertiesScheduleOfDevelopedAndUndevelopedReservesUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Schedule of Developed and Undeveloped Reserves (Unaudited) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R95.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421405 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Results of Operations for Natural Gas and Crude Oil Producing Activities (Unaudited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/SupplementalInformationNaturalGasAndCrudeOilPropertiesResultsOfOperationsForNaturalGasAndCrudeOilProducingActivitiesUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Results of Operations for Natural Gas and Crude Oil Producing Activities (Unaudited) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R96.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421406 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Costs Incurred in Natural Gas and Crude Oil Property Acquisition, Exploration and Development Activities (Unadited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/SupplementalInformationNaturalGasAndCrudeOilPropertiesCostsIncurredInNaturalGasAndCrudeOilPropertyAcquisitionExplorationAndDevelopmentActivitiesUnaditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Costs Incurred in Natural Gas and Crude Oil Property Acquisition, Exploration and Development Activities (Unadited) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R97.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421407 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Capitalized Costs Related to Natural Gas and Crude Oil Producing Activities (Unaudited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/SupplementalInformationNaturalGasAndCrudeOilPropertiesCapitalizedCostsRelatedToNaturalGasAndCrudeOilProducingActivitiesUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Capitalized Costs Related to Natural Gas and Crude Oil Producing Activities (Unaudited) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R98.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421408 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Cash Flows Relating to Proved Reserves (Unaudited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/SupplementalInformationNaturalGasAndCrudeOilPropertiesStandardizedMeasureOfDiscountedFutureCashFlowsRelatingToProvedReservesUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Cash Flows Relating to Proved Reserves (Unaudited) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R99.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421409 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Principal Sources of Change in Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows (Unuadited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/SupplementalInformationNaturalGasAndCrudeOilPropertiesPrincipalSourcesOfChangeInStandardizedMeasureOfDiscountedFutureNetCashFlowsUnuaditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Principal Sources of Change in Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows (Unuadited) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R100.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422401 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/SupplementalInformationQuarterlyFinancialInformationQuarterlyFinancialInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R101.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2423400 - Schedule - SCHEDULE II- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pdce.com/role/ScheduleIiValuationAndQualifyingAccounts</Role>
      <ShortName>SCHEDULE II- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element pdce_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationFromContinuingOperations had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element pdce_LongTermDeferredTaxRate had a mix of decimals attribute values: 2 3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAssetsAcquiredLiabilitiesAssumedNet had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_CommonStockValue had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage had a mix of decimals attribute values: 2 4.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsDomestic had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilities had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 -2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromPreviousAcquisition had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts had a mix of decimals attribute values: -6 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedReservesExtensionsDiscoveriesAndAdditions had a mix of decimals attribute values: -6 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedReservesNet had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedReservesPurchasesOfMineralsInPlace had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedReservesVolume had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ProvedUndevelopedReserveVolume had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2402403 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Detail (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2403402 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURES Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2407405 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2407406 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES Additional Information (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2412402 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK Stockholders' Equity Note (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2412404 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK Stocked Based Compensation Summary (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2412407 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK Schedule of Changes in SARs (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2412408 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK Schedule of Changes in Restricted Stock - TIme Based Awards (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2412410 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK Schedule of Changes in Restricted Stock - Market Based Awards (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Shares' elements on report '2414402 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE Earnings Per Share (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2415402 - Disclosure - ASSETS HELD FOR SALE, DIVESTITURES AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Additional Information (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2416403 - Disclosure - ACQUISITIONS Additional Information (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2416404 - Disclosure - ACQUISITIONS Pro Forma Information (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2418402 - Disclosure - TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES Transactions with Affiliates and Other Related Parties (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2418403 - Disclosure - TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES Additional Information (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2421406 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Costs Incurred in Natural Gas and Crude Oil Property Acquisition, Exploration and Development Activities (Unadited) (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2421409 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - NATURAL GAS AND CRUDE OIL PROPERTIES Principal Sources of Change in Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows (Unuadited) (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Audited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2010'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2009'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations (Audited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1003000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Audited)</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>pdce-20121231.xml</File>
    <File>pdce-20121231.xsd</File>
    <File>pdce-20121231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>pdce-20121231_def.xml</File>
    <File>pdce-20121231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>pdce-20121231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
