Cover Page - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Feb. 18, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-37419
Entity Registrant Name	PDC ENERGY, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	95-2636730
Entity Address, Address Line One	1775 Sherman Street,
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 3000
Entity Address, City or Town	Denver
Entity Address, State or Province	CO
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	80203
City Area Code	303
Local Phone Number	860-5800
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	PDCE
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Smaller Reporting Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		100,121,539
Entity Public Float			$ 2.3
Entity Central Index Key	0000077877
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false