Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value \| Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value
Commodity-based derivative - assets	$ 240,670,000	$ 237,939,000
Basis protection derivative - assets	907,000	19,000
Total assets	241,577,000	237,958,000
Commodity-based derivative - liabilities	616,000	742,000
Basis protection derivative - liabilities	0	25,000
Total liabilities	616,000	767,000
Net asset (fair value)	240,961,000	237,191,000
Fair Value \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value
Commodity-based derivative - assets	74,817,000	62,356,000
Basis protection derivative - assets	0	0
Total assets	74,817,000	62,356,000
Commodity-based derivative - liabilities	0	0
Basis protection derivative - liabilities	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Net asset (fair value)	74,817,000	62,356,000
Fair Value \| Total
Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value
Commodity-based derivative - assets	315,487,000	300,295,000
Basis protection derivative - assets	907,000	19,000
Total assets	316,394,000	300,314,000
Commodity-based derivative - liabilities	616,000	742,000
Basis protection derivative - liabilities	0	25,000
Total liabilities	616,000	767,000
Net asset (fair value)	315,778,000	299,547,000
3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2016
Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.25%
3.25% convertible senior notes fair value	159,200,000
3.25% convertible senior notes fair value as a percentage of par	138.40%
7.75% Senior Notes due 2022
Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.75%
7.75% senior notes fair value	$ 525,000,000
7.75% senior notes fair value as percentage of par	105.00%

This element represents the fair value of 12% Senior Notes, as a percentage of par value as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the fair value of 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes, as a percentage of par value as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	pdce_
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of CIG Basis Protection Swaps that are in an asset position.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of CIG Basis Protection Swaps that are in a liability position.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of financial instruments consisting of floors, collars, and swaps that are in an asset position.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of financial instruments consisting of floors, collars, and swaps that are in a liability position.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	pdce_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the aggregate net assets reported on the balance sheet at period end measured at fair value by the entity. This element is intended to be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value portion of probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)

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+ Details

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- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of a written promise to pay a note, initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer, which can be exchanged for a specified amount of one or more securities (typically common stock), at the option of the issuer or the holder.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

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-Publisher FASB

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-Topic 944

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-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

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-Publisher SEC

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-Article 9

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

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-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- Definition

Fair value of financial and nonfinancial obligations.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Fair value portion of notes payable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19,20,22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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- Details

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