Tracking Santa from Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Volunteers at Peterson Space Force Base are gearing up for a very busy Christmas Eve as they track Santa Claus while he delivers presents to homes all across the world.

The United States military has been tracking Santa for more than 70 years.

In 1955, a local advertisement misprinted the phone number for a Santa hotline and calls reached a military call center at the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) instead. We're told "the Air Force colonel who answered the phone realized the mistake and, not wanting to let down the child, gave the order to the watch floor to start tracking Santa and answer the children’s calls accordingly." A few years later, NORAD absorbed CONAD's mission and has kept the tradition going.

A NORAD spokesperson told KRDO more than 1,000 volunteers will be answering phone calls from children all over the world this Christmas Eve. NORAD also runs a website where you can track Santa yourself.

“And if you want some help, please call us and we will tell your kids to be in bed when Santa Claus come. [Call] 1-877-HI NORAD," said Capt. Rebecca Grand with NORAD.