Document and Entity Information Document - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 22, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	PDC ENERGY, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000077877
Trading Symbol	PDCE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		66,282,650
Smaller Reporting Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 3,971,039,266