Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	$ (24,488)	$ (29,875)	$ (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	318	497	1,600	1,619
Net current-period other comprehensive income	371	550	1,759	3,045
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(24,117)	(29,325)	(24,117)	(29,325)
Regulatory Asset [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax			0	(31)
Interest Expense [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	53	53	159	102
Postretirement Benefit Net Loss [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(18,443)	(23,619)	(19,725)	(24,741)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	318	497	1,600	1,619
Net current-period other comprehensive income	318	497	1,600	1,619
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(18,125)	(23,122)	(18,125)	(23,122)
Net Loss on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(6,045)	(6,256)	(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	53	159	1,426
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(5,992)	(6,203)	(5,992)	(6,203)
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	(31)
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	53	159	102
Cleco Power [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(14,324)	(18,528)	(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	92	207	839	727
Net current-period other comprehensive income	145	260	998	2,153
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(14,179)	(18,268)	(14,179)	(18,268)
Cleco Power [Member] | Regulatory Asset [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax			0	(31)
Cleco Power [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	53	53	159	102
Cleco Power [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Net Loss [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(8,279)	(12,272)	(9,026)	(12,792)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	92	207	839	727
Net current-period other comprehensive income	92	207	839	727
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(8,187)	(12,065)	(8,187)	(12,065)
Cleco Power [Member] | Net Loss on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(6,045)	(6,256)	(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	53	159	1,426
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(5,992)	(6,203)	(5,992)	(6,203)
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	(31)
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	$ 53	$ 159	$ 102