Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Balance	$ (32,370)	$ (28,139)	$ (11,638)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	2,159	2,117	1,213
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	6,494	(4,231)	(16,501)
Balance	(25,876)	(32,370)	(28,139)
Cleco Power [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Balance	(20,421)	(20,630)	(4,734)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	970	1,160	692
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	5,244	209	(15,896)
Balance	(15,177)	(20,421)	(20,630)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Balance	(24,741)	(18,176)	(17,668)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	2,857	(8,682)	(1,721)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	2,159	2,117	1,213
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	5,016	(6,565)	(508)
Balance	(19,725)	(24,741)	(18,176)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Balance	(12,792)	(10,667)	(10,764)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	2,796	(3,285)	(595)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	970	1,160	692
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	3,766	(2,125)	97
Balance	(9,026)	(12,792)	(10,667)
Net Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Balance	(7,629)	(9,963)	6,030
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,355	433	(15,788)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	1,478	2,334	(15,993)
Balance	(6,151)	(7,629)	(9,963)
Net Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Balance	(7,629)	(9,963)	6,030
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,355	433	(15,788)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	1,478	2,334	(15,993)
Balance	(6,151)	(7,629)	(9,963)
Interest Expense [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	154	37	(205)
Interest Expense [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	154	37	(205)
Interest Expense [Member] | Net Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	154	37	(205)
Regulatory Asset [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(31)	1,864
Regulatory Asset [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(31)	1,864
Regulatory Asset [Member] | Net Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(31)	1,864
Regulatory Asset [Member] | Net Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	$ (31)	$ 1,864