Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Consolidated Statements of Comphrehensive Income Parenthetical (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net tax expense (benefit) of amortiztion of postretirement benefit net loss (gain)	$ 1,200	$ 605	$ (20)
Net tax (benefit) expense of postretirement loss incurred during the year	(5,430)	(949)	131
Net tax expense (benefit) of net derivative (loss) gain	271	(9,873)	1,823
Cleco Power [Member]
Net tax expense (benefit) of amortiztion of postretirement benefit net loss (gain)	618	303	(239)
Net tax (benefit) expense of postretirement loss incurred during the year	(2,054)	(266)	725
Net tax expense (benefit) of net derivative (loss) gain	271	(9,873)	1,823
Interest Expense [Member]
Net tax (benefit) expense of reclassification of net gain (loss)	23	(129)	197
Interest Expense [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Net tax (benefit) expense of reclassification of net gain (loss)	23	(129)	197
Other Expense [Member]
Net tax expense (benefit) of net derivative (loss) gain	0	0	434
Other Expense [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Net tax expense (benefit) of net derivative (loss) gain	0	0	434
Regulatory Asset [Member]
Net tax (benefit) expense of reclassification of ineffectiveness to regulatory asset	1,166	0	0
Regulatory Asset [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Net tax (benefit) expense of reclassification of ineffectiveness to regulatory asset	$ 1,166	$ 0	$ 0