Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Uncertain Tax Positions [Line Items]
Interest payable related to uncertain tax positions	$ 0			$ 0
Interest expense related to uncertain tax positions	0	$ 0
Liability for uncertain tax positions	0
Penalties	0	0
Scenario, Forecast | Federal
Uncertain Tax Positions [Line Items]
Net operating losses			$ 561,200,000
Scenario, Forecast | State
Uncertain Tax Positions [Line Items]
Net operating losses			$ 113,800,000
CLECO POWER
Uncertain Tax Positions [Line Items]
Interest payable related to uncertain tax positions	0			$ 0
Interest expense related to uncertain tax positions	$ 0	$ 0