| Document and Entity Information Document | Aug. 09, 2019 |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Document Period End Date | Aug. 9, 2019 |
| Entity Registrant Name | COLONY CAPITAL, INC. |
| Entity Incorporation, State or 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 |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001679688 |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| New York Stock Exchange | Common Class A | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value |
| Trading Symbol | CLNY |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| New York Stock Exchange | Series B Preferred Stock | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Preferred Stock, 8.25% Series B Cumulative Redeemable, $0.01 par value |
| Trading Symbol | CLNY.PRB |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| New York Stock Exchange | Series E Preferred Stock | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Preferred Stock, 8.75% Series E Cumulative Redeemable, $0.01 par value |
| Trading Symbol | CLNY.PRE |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| New York Stock Exchange | Series G Preferred Stock | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Preferred Stock, 7.50% Series G Cumulative Redeemable, $0.01 par value |
| Trading Symbol | CLNY.PRG |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| New York Stock Exchange | Series H Preferred Stock | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Preferred Stock, 7.125% Series H Cumulative Redeemable, $0.01 par value |
| Trading Symbol | CLNY.PRH |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| New York Stock Exchange | Series I Preferred Stock | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Preferred Stock, 7.15% Series I Cumulative Redeemable, $0.01 par value |
| Trading Symbol | CLNY.PRI |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| New York Stock Exchange | Series J Preferred Stock | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Preferred Stock, 7.125% Series J Cumulative Redeemable, $0.01 par value |
| Trading Symbol | CLNY.PRJ |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
