Denver Hosts 2017 'Solar Decathlon'

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DENVER (CBS4) - Denver is home to this year's Solar Decathlon.

The competition, which is open to the public, draws college students from around the U.S. and Europe to show off full-size homes they've built themselves.

The homes are judged on 10 criteria, including being solar powered and energy efficient.

As part of the event, on Friday Sen. Michael Bennet quizzed students on some of Denver's biggest challenges.

"Here in Denver, a big thunderstorm or power outage would be your biggest concern, and again you can save that energy to the power wall," one student answered.

A student answers questions posed by U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. (Credit: CBS)

The first solar decathlon started in Washington D.C. in 2002.