While the ban itself was short lived, the grassroots movement, anti-fracking activists, and the oil and gas industry are still an ever-present force in the Denton community. University of North Texas professor Dr. Adam Briggle played an integral role in organizing and mobilizing anti-fracking voters during the events of 2014 and, as of 2017, still advocates against hydraulic fracturing. The fracking ban quickly became a divisive subject in the Denton community. Fracking is defined as a process in which shale gas is extracted by pumping heavily pressurized water into small drill channels to fracture the surrounding rock. With nearly 300 gas wells-some near playgrounds, hospitals, and occupied neighborhoods-many citizens became concerned by the environmental and health-related impacts of hydraulic fracturing. Groups opposing the ban argued that fracking is a multibillion dollar industry and not only violates property owners' rights but hypothesized that the ban would only serve to strengthen oil and gas industries in foreign countries. On November 4, 2014, Dentonites voted and made history. Overwhelmingly 58% of the population voted in favor of the bill and Denton became the first city in Texas to ban fracking. However, not even twelve hours later two lawsuits were filed against the City of Denton by the Texas Land Office and the Texas Oil and Gas Association to repeal the ban. In May of 2015, Texas Governor Greg Abbot signed House Bill 40 (HB40) which gives exclusive jurisdiction over the oil and gas industry to the state and effectively prohibits any ordinance/initiative/regulation banning hydraulic fracturing by individual cities. On June 17, 2015, the City of Denton was forced to repeal the fracking ban as per HB40. The Texas General Land Office, one of the groups involved in suing the City of Denton after the ban, is one of the oldest operating state agency in Texas. Their primary role is managing state lands and "maximizing state revenue through the prudent stewardship of state lands and natural resources" (The Texas General Land Office). The Texas Oil and Gas Association boasts approximately 5,000 members, both independent and major producers, and serves to represent petroleum interests in the state (TXOGA).

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