Common and Preferred Stock, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Disclosures [Line Items]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Plan Description	Regular, full-time, and part-time employees of Cleco Corporation and its participating subsidiaries, except officers, general managers, and employees who own 5% or more of Cleco Corporation's stock, may participate in the ESPP.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Disclosures [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Discount from Market Price, Offering Date	5.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Number of Shares Per Employee	62
Maximum number of shares of common stock which may be purchased under the ESPP (in shares)	734,000
Number of shares of common stock available for purchase under the ESPP (in shares)	418,527
Minimum [Member] | Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Disclosures [Line Items]
Employee payroll deductions, minimum	10
Maximum [Member] | Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Disclosures [Line Items]
Employee payroll deductions maximum	350