Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Jan. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Entity 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	0-20288
Entity Registrant Name	COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	WA
Entity Tax Identification Number	91-1422237
Entity Address, Address Line One	1301 A Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Tacoma
Entity Address, State or Province	WA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	98402-2156
City Area Code	253
Local Phone Number	305-1900
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, No Par Value
Trading Symbol	COLB
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
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 2,622,530,600
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		72,146,350
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Central Index Key	0000887343
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Amendment Flag	false