TESSA's annual Pasta in the Park fundraiser takes place tonight in Colorado Springs. The event begins at 6 PM at the Myron Stratton Home on the south side of the city. This year's theme is "Shelter from the Storm," and the organization is aiming to raise $150,000 through ticket sales, a pasta tasting competition, live and silent auctions, and an evening of community gathering.

Tickets are $120. For families or individuals in a position to attend, this is one of the larger community fundraising events of the Colorado Springs summer — and one of the most direct ways to support TESSA's work with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in the Pikes Peak region.

Quick Reference: Pasta in the Park 2026

About TESSA

TESSA — Teller and El Paso Sexual Assault — is a Colorado Springs-based nonprofit that serves survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault across El Paso and Teller counties. The organization provides emergency shelter, advocacy services, counseling, legal assistance, and community education programs.

TESSA's services are available to anyone experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, regardless of age, gender, or immigration status. The organization operates a 24-hour crisis line and provides confidential support to survivors who need help navigating the next steps after violence.

Fundraising events like Pasta in the Park allow TESSA to maintain programs that are not fully covered by government or foundation funding. The $120 ticket price includes all event activities and goes directly toward the organization's service budget.

What's Next

For those who can't make it to tonight's event, TESSA accepts donations year-round through its website and maintains a volunteer program for community members who want to support its mission in other ways.

Colorado Springs families with children benefit from TESSA's work even indirectly — the organization's community education programs reach schools and youth organizations, and the broader safety net it provides for survivors has a stabilizing effect on families across the region.

If you or someone you know needs support related to domestic violence or sexual assault, TESSA's crisis line is available 24 hours a day. Contact information is available through the organization's website or by searching "TESSA Colorado Springs" online.