Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended					1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended						6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014 Diversified Lands Mitigation Escrow Agreement [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Diversified Lands Mitigation Escrow Agreement [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Katrina/Rita Bond Payments [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Katrina/Rita Bond Payments [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Katrina/Rita Bond Payments [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Future Storm Restoration Costs [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Future Storm Restoration Costs [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Building Renovations Escrow [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Building Renovations Escrow [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Cleco Power [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Cleco Power [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Cleco Power [Member] Future Storm Restoration Costs [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	$ 23,577,000		$ 14,019,000	$ 21,000	$ 21,000		$ 8,516,000	$ 8,986,000	$ 14,365,000	$ 4,726,000	$ 675,000	$ 286,000
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Cleco Katrina/Rita Storm Recover Bond Variance [Abstract]
Restricted cash collected by Cleco Katrina/Rita, net of administration fees							10,100,000
Restricted cash used by Cleco Katrina/Rita for bond principal payments						7,600,000
Restricted cash used by Cleco Katrina/Rita for bond interest payments						3,000,000
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Future Storm Restoration Costs[Abstract]
Increase in cash and cash equivalents held for future storm restoration costs	9,557,000	(1,730,000)											9,557,000	(1,730,000)	9,600,000
Transfer of restricted investments to restricted cash															13,200,000
Transfer of restricted cash to cover storm expenses															$ 4,000,000