How to permanently disable auto-renewal so you never get surprised by an unexpected renewal charge again. This guide applies specifically to New York Times ($4-$25/mo) subscribers in Denver, Colorado. Colorado's Auto-Renewal Consumer Protection protects you.
Colorado's Auto-Renewal Consumer Protection (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 6-1-732) gives Denver residents specific protections when dealing with New York Times:
Penalties: Deceptive trade practice with treble damages available
Applied to New York Times (Phone or chat) for Denver residents
Log into your account settings
Go to the service's website (not app, unless it's an app-store subscription). Navigate to Settings → Billing → Subscription or Plan.
Look for 'Auto-Renewal' or 'Recurring Billing' toggle
Most services have an explicit auto-renewal toggle. Turn it off. You will typically keep access until your current paid period ends, then it won't renew.
Get written confirmation
After toggling, screenshot the settings page and save any confirmation email. If they charge you after disabling auto-renewal, you have documented proof.
For app-store subscriptions, disable in the store
iPhone: Settings → [Your Name] → Subscriptions → [App] → Turn off Renew. Google Play: Manage subscriptions → Cancel. The app itself cannot see these settings.
Set a final billing date reminder
Note when your current period ends. After that date, verify no charge appears. If you see a charge after disabling auto-renewal, that is an unauthorized charge.
Method: Phone or chat · Difficulty: hard
New York Times-specific tips
No refund for current billing period.
Under Colo. Rev. Stat. § 6-1-732, Denver residents may be entitled to a full refund if New York Times didn't properly disclose auto-renewal terms.
SubScrub auto-cites Colo. Rev. Stat. § 6-1-732 for Denver residents