Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Apr. 23, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, par value $0.01 per share
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Tax Identification Number	95-2636730
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Address, State or Province	CO
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	80203
City Area Code	303
Local Phone Number	860-5800
Entity Registrant Name	PDC ENERGY, INC.
Entity Address, Address Line One	1775 Sherman Street,
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 3000
Entity Address, City or Town	Denver
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 Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-37419
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		99,315,624
Smaller Reporting Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes