-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001287271-10-000003.txt : 20100120
<SEC-HEADER>0001287271-10-000003.hdr.sgml : 20100120
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100120191414
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001287271-10-000003
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20091216
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100120
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100120

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Bishop W Anderson
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001406144

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-14731
		FILM NUMBER:		10537354

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6120 SOUTH YALE AVENUE, SUITE 700
		CITY:			TULSA
		STATE:			OK
		ZIP:			74136

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HALLADOR ENERGY CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000788965
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BITUMINOUS COAL & LIGNITE MINING [1220]
		IRS NUMBER:				841014610
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CO
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1224

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1660 LINCOLN ST STE 2700
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80264
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3038395505

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1660 LINCOLN STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 2700
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80264

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HALLADOR PETROLEUM CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	KIMBARK OIL & GAS CO /CO/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19900102

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	KIMBARK INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19860624
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-12-16</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000788965</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HALLADOR ENERGY CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HPCO</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001406144</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Bishop W Anderson</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1660 LINCOLN STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 2700</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DENVER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80264</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>CFO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Unit</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-12-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>200000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>200000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>200000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Hallador Energy Company common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The restricted stock units vest 25% each year starting in 2010.  If employment terminates prior to vesting, the restricted stock units shall be immediately cancelled and the reporting person shall cease to have any right or entitlement to receive any shares under those cancelled units.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>W. Anderson Bishop</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-01-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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