Policy & Regulatory Consulting

Complex law.
Clear
policy.

Independent consulting from a licensed attorney with 8 years in state and local government — combining policy expertise, employment law knowledge, and SHRM-certified HR experience.

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Why clients choose me

  • Licensed attorney Active CO Bar — legal rigor behind every recommendation
  • Employment law & HR expertise SHRM-CP certified with hands-on experience in FMLA, ADA, FAMLI, and workplace compliance
  • Plain-language clarity Complex statutes translated into policies your team can actually follow
  • Independent & objective No firm politics, no billable-hour padding — just focused, practical advice
Employment Law & Policy· Regulatory Drafting· Legislative Impact Analysis· FMLA · ADA · FAMLI· Policy Governance· Health Facility Licensing· Compliance & Risk· Rulemaking· Employment Law & Policy· Regulatory Drafting· Legislative Impact Analysis· FMLA · ADA · FAMLI· Policy Governance· Health Facility Licensing· Compliance & Risk· Rulemaking·

About

Law, policy, and the clarity between them.

Melissa Long

Melissa Barkett-Long, J.D. · Principal Consultant

I'm an attorney and senior policy leader with 8 years of experience in state and local government. I specialize in translating complex statutes and regulations into clear, implementable policy — helping organizations strengthen governance, manage compliance risk, and make confident decisions.

My background spans regulatory drafting, legislative impact analysis, employment law, and compliance risk management. I've led policy modernization initiatives at the Colorado Department of Revenue, managed rulemaking at the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, and developed workforce policy programs for the City of Wheat Ridge. I bring legal rigor and plain-language clarity to every engagement.

Juris Doctor, University of Denver College of Law — active Colorado Bar license in good standing

SHRM-CP Certified (2024–2030) — employment law, HR policy, and workforce compliance

B.S. Journalism, University of Colorado-Boulder — a foundation in clear, audience-driven communication

Former Policy & CORA Administrator, Colorado Department of Revenue; Policy Analyst, CDPHE

What I
do for you.

A range of services designed to meet you where you are — from strategy to execution.

01

Policy Development & Governance

From drafting to implementation, I help organizations build standardized, plain-language policy libraries and governance frameworks that hold up under scrutiny and support day-to-day operations.

Policy Drafting Governance Frameworks Policy Lifecycle Management
02

Regulatory Analysis

I translate federal and state regulatory requirements into operational reality.

Regulatory Drafting Statutory Analysis
03

Legislative Impact Analysis

Stay ahead of legislative change. I monitor proposed legislation, assess operational and fiscal impacts, and prepare executive-ready briefings so your leadership can act — not react.

Bill Tracking Impact Assessments Executive Briefings
04

Employment Law & HR Policy

SHRM-certified and deeply experienced in employment law, I help organizations build compliant HR policies covering FMLA, ADA, FAMLI, workers' compensation, and employee relations — drafted for clarity, not just compliance.

FMLA / ADA / FAMLI Policy Drafting HR Compliance

Get in Touch

Let's make your policy work harder.

Whether you need a quick regulatory read or a long-term policy partner, I'd love to hear what you're working on.