Reconciliation of Level 3 Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Derivative Financial Instrument Net Assets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Roll-forward of Level 3 Assets
Fair Value, net assets, beginning of period	$ 91,288	$ 62,356
Fair Value, net assets, end of period	73,105	74,817
Net change in fair value of unsettled derivatives included in statement of operations line item	4,185	14,494
Commodity Price Risk Management (loss), net
Roll-forward of Level 3 Assets
Changes in fair value included in statement of operations line item:	6,165	15,189
Settlements included in statement of operations line items:	(24,258)	(2,725)
Net change in fair value of unsettled derivatives included in statement of operations line item	4,185	14,494
Sales From Natural Gas Marketing
Roll-forward of Level 3 Assets
Changes in fair value included in statement of operations line item:	(20)	1
Settlements included in statement of operations line items:	(70)	(4)
Net change in fair value of unsettled derivatives included in statement of operations line item	$ 0	$ 0

- Definition

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Net Asset, Period Increase (Decrease).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pdce_ChangesInUnrealizedGainsLossesRelatingToAssetsLiabilitiesStillHeldAsOfPeriodEndIncludedInStatementOfOperationsLineItem
Namespace Prefix:	pdce_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents net assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pdce_FairValueMeasuredWithUnobservableInputReconcilitionRecurringBasisNetAssetValue
Namespace Prefix:	pdce_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of purchases, sales, issues, and settlements (net) which have taken place in relation to net assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (level 3).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pdce_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisNetAssetPurchasesSalesIssuesSettlements
Namespace Prefix:	pdce_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of where the gain (loss), arising from net assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (level 3), is to be recognized in earnings.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pdce_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisNetAssetsGainLossIncludedInEarnings
Namespace Prefix:	pdce_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=pdce_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentNetAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	pdce_IncomeStatementAndBalanceSheetLocationAxis=pdce_CommodityPriceRiskManagementNetMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	pdce_IncomeStatementAndBalanceSheetLocationAxis=pdce_SalesFromNaturalGasMarketingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: