| Document and Entity Information Document | Feb. 28, 2020 | Nov. 08, 2019 |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Document Type | 8-K | |
| Document Period End Date | Feb. 28, 2020 | |
| 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 South 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 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 |
