Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	$ (25,876)	$ (32,370)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications:	0	1,355
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	844	536
Net current-period other comprehensive income	897	1,873
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(24,979)	(30,497)
Regulatory Asset [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	0	(30)
Interest Expense [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	53	12
Postretirement Benefit Net Loss [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(19,725)	(24,741)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	844	536
Net current-period other comprehensive income	844	536
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(18,881)	(24,205)
Net Loss on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(6,151)	(7,629)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications:	0	1,355
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Net current-period other comprehensive income	53	1,337
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(6,098)	(6,292)
Net Loss on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Regulatory Asset [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	0	(30)
Net Loss on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	53	12
Cleco Power [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(15,177)	(20,421)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications:	0	1,355
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	525	251
Net current-period other comprehensive income	578	1,588
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(14,599)	(18,833)
Cleco Power [Member] | Regulatory Asset [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	0	(30)
Cleco Power [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	53	12
Cleco Power [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Net Loss [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(9,026)	(12,792)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	525	251
Net current-period other comprehensive income	525	251
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(8,501)	(12,541)
Cleco Power [Member] | Net Loss on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(6,151)	(7,629)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications:	0	1,355
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Net current-period other comprehensive income	53	1,337
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(6,098)	(6,292)
Cleco Power [Member] | Net Loss on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Regulatory Asset [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	0	(30)
Cleco Power [Member] | Net Loss on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	$ 53	$ 12