For the thousands of British expats living in Colorado, news of Friday’s Brexit causes some uncertainty and mixed opinions.
“I don’t know how I would have voted,” said Jessica Avery, who moved to the United States from the U.K. more than 20 years ago.
She watched as the results came in, ultimately showing voters had decided to leave the European Union.
“I didn’t think the vote would go that way, actually, if I was going to put money on it,” said Avery.
Sitting in her tea shop, the House of Commons in LoDo, she said her family was divided about the decision back in the U.K.
Her bother voted to stay, while her mother voted to break away.
“My mother was worried about resources getting stretched thin because of so many immigrants coming into the country,” she said.
She said her brother, who owns an international business, is now concerned about the ramifications the vote might have on his business.
In the meantime, Avery is working to find a middle ground, although she has found one convenient effect.
“With the pound being devalued it would be a great time to go,” she said, “that’s the silver lining for me, I guess.”
Jack Strauss, the chair of Applied Economics at DU’s Daniels School of Business, expects the value of the British pound to remain at an all-time low for the next few months.
“Prices now will be definitely more reasonable to visit this summer,” he said.
He also added that gas prices will go down as a result of the Brexit.
The U.K. consulate states that they are roughly around 12,000 British expats living in the state of Colorado.
Avery has mixed feelings about what’s next for her country.
“I’m concerned because I don’t know what will come,” she said. ”I’m excited out of any change comes new opportunity and I guess I don’t know how to feel to be honest.”
However, she’s certain no matter what, her U.K. will pull through.
“I think the British are really strong as a people, as a whole,” she said, “and I think they’ll pull together and be fine.”
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