| Document and Entity Information | Sep. 09, 2019 |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001679688 |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Document Period End Date | Sep. 9, 2019 |
| Entity Registrant Name | COLONY CAPITAL, INC. |
| Entity Incorporation State Country Code | MD |
| Entity File Number | 001-37980 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 46-4591526 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 515 S. Flower Street |
| Entity Address, Address Line Two | 44th Floor |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Los Angeles |
| Entity Address, State or Province | CA |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 90071 |
| City Area Code | (310) |
| Local Phone Number | 282-8820 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre Commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Common Class A [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value |
| Trading Symbol | CLNY |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series B Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | Preferred Stock, 8.25% Series B Cumulative Redeemable, $0.01 par value |
| Trading Symbol | CLNY.PRB |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series E Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | Preferred Stock, 8.75% Series E Cumulative Redeemable, $0.01 par value |
| Trading Symbol | CLNY.PRE |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series G Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | Preferred Stock, 7.50% Series G Cumulative Redeemable, $0.01 par value |
| Trading Symbol | CLNY.PRG |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series H Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | Preferred Stock, 7.125% Series H Cumulative Redeemable, $0.01 par value |
| Trading Symbol | CLNY.PRH |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series I Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | Preferred Stock, 7.15% Series I Cumulative Redeemable, $0.01 par value |
| Trading Symbol | CLNY.PRI |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series J Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | Preferred Stock, 7.125% Series J Cumulative Redeemable, $0.01 par value |
| Trading Symbol | CLNY.PRJ |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
