Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Tax benefit	$ 546	$ 517	$ 1,787	$ 1,846
Non-vested Stock [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Non-vested stock granted during the period (in shares)			90,050
Non-vested stock	1,419	1,344	$ 4,644	4,798
Cleco Power [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Tax benefit	200	203	564	562
Cleco Power [Member] | Non-vested Stock [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Non-vested stock	$ 519	$ 528	$ 1,465	$ 1,461