Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Cleco
(THOUSANDS)	NET (LOSS) GAIN ON PRIOR SERVICE COST			POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT NET LOSS			NET GAIN (LOSS) ON CASH FLOW HEDGES			TOTAL ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Balances, Dec. 31, 2009	$	(9,794	)	$	(3,602	)	$	2,105		$	(11,291	)
Current-period change	(31		)	(4,241		)	3,925			(347		)
Balances, Dec. 31, 2010	$	(9,825	)	$	(7,843	)	$	6,030		$	(11,638	)
Current-period change	1,213			(1,721		)	(15,993		)	(16,501		)
Balances, Dec. 31, 2011	$	(8,612	)	$	(9,564	)	$	(9,963	)	$	(28,139	)
Current-period change	2,117			(8,682		)	2,334			(4,231		)
Balances, Dec. 31, 2012	$	(6,495	)	$	(18,246	)	$	(7,629	)	$	(32,370	)

Cleco Power [Member]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Cleco Power
(THOUSANDS)	NET (LOSS) GAIN ON PRIOR SERVICE COST			POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT NET LOSS			NET GAIN (LOSS) ON CASH FLOW HEDGES			TOTAL ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) GAIN
Balances, Dec. 31, 2009	$	(5,698	)	$	(2,078	)	$	2,105		$	(5,671	)
Current-period change	(381		)	(2,607		)	3,925			937
Balances, Dec. 31, 2010	$	(6,079	)	$	(4,685	)	$	6,030		$	(4,734	)
Current-period change	692			(595		)	(15,993		)	(15,896		)
Balances, Dec. 31, 2011	$	(5,387	)	$	(5,280	)	$	(9,963	)	$	(20,630	)
Current-period change	1,160			(3,285		)	2,334			209
Balances, Dec. 31, 2012	$	(4,227	)	$	(8,565	)	$	(7,629	)	$	(20,421	)